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. 2022 Sep-Oct;37(5):439-445.
doi: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000882. Epub 2022 Jan 12.

mHealth Intervention to Improve Cardiometabolic Health in Rural Hispanic Adults: A Pilot Study

Sheri A Rowland, Athena K Ramos, Natalia Trinidad, Sophia Quintero, Rebecca Johnson-Beller, Leeza Struwe, Bunny Pozehl

mHealth Intervention to Improve Cardiometabolic Health in Rural Hispanic Adults: A Pilot Study

Sheri A Rowland et al. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2022 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Background: Hispanic/Latino adults have high rates of hypertension, obesity, and type II diabetes. Mobile health technologies (mHealth) are effective in supporting self-management of lifestyle behaviors; however, the effectiveness in rural Hispanic/Latino adults is unclear.

Objective: A pilot 12-week self-management mHealth intervention in rural Hispanic/Latino adults with cardiometabolic risk was conducted.

Methods: A randomized, 2-group (intervention and enhanced usual care) design was used to test the use of the MyFitnessPal app, a smart scale, and text messages to support daily self-monitoring of weight, food intake, and steps.

Results: Seventy participants enrolled. The intervention group had greater improvement in body mass index ( P = .052) and waist circumference ( P = .043) at 12 weeks and a trend toward greater fitness at 12 and 24 weeks. Both groups improved hemoglobin A 1c level at 12 and 24 weeks.

Conclusions: mHealth using MyFitnessPal, smart scale, and text messages may be effective for improving aspects of cardiometabolic health in rural Hispanic/Latino adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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