Development and Feasibility of an App to Decrease Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in Hispanic Women With Recent Gestational Diabetes (Hola Bebé, Adiós Diabetes): Pilot Pre-Post Study

Abstract

Background: Hispanic women have increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which carries an increased risk for future type 2 diabetes, compared to non-Hispanic women. In addition, Hispanic women are less likely to engage in healthy eating and physical activity, which are both risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Supporting patients to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors through mobile health (mHealth) interventions is increasingly recognized as a viable, underused tool for disease prevention, as they reduce barriers to access frequently experienced in face-to-face interventions. Despite the high percentage of smartphone ownership among Hispanics, mHealth programs to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes in Hispanic women with prior GDM are lacking.

Objective: This study aimed to (1) develop a mobile app (¡Hola Bebé, Adiós Diabetes!) to pilot test a culturally tailored, bilingual (Spanish/English) lifestyle program to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes in Hispanic women with GDM in the prior 5 years; (2) examine the acceptability and usability of the app; and (3) assess the short-term effectiveness of the app in increasing self-efficacy for both healthy eating and physical activity, and in decreasing weight.

Methods: Social cognitive theory provided the framework for the study. A prototype app was developed based on prior research and cultural tailoring of content. Features included educational audiovisual modules on healthy eating and physical activity; personal action plans; motivational text messages; weight tracking; user-friendly, easy-to-follow recipes; directions on building a balanced plate; and tiered badges to reward achievements. Perceptions of the app's acceptability and usability were explored through four focus groups. Short-term effectiveness of the app was tested in an 8-week single group pilot study.

Results: In total, 11 Hispanic women, receiving care at a federally qualified community health center, aged 18-45 years, and with GDM in the last 5 years, participated in four focus groups to evaluate the app's acceptability and usability. Participants found the following sections most useful: audiovisual modules, badges for completion of activities, weight-tracking graphics, and recipes. Suggested modifications included adjustments in phrasing, graphics, and a tiering system of badges. After app modifications, we conducted usability testing with 4 Hispanic women, with the key result being the suggestion for a "how-to tutorial." To assess short-term effectiveness, 21 Hispanic women with prior GDM participated in the pilot. There was a statistically significant improvement in both self-efficacy for physical activity (P=.003) and self-efficacy for healthy eating (P=.007). Weight decreased but not significantly. Backend process data revealed a high level of user engagement.

Conclusions: These data support the app's acceptability, usability, and short-term effectiveness, suggesting that this mHealth program has the potential to fill the gap in care experienced by Hispanic women with prior GDM following pregnancy. Future studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of an enhanced app in a randomized controlled trial.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04149054; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04149054.

Keywords: Hispanic; Latina; diabetes prevention; gestational diabetes mellitus; intervention; mHealth; mobile apps.

Figure 1

Screenshots from the ¡Hola Bebé, Adiós Diabetes! app.