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. 2022 Aug 16;29(9):1508-1517.
doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocac108.

Automated growth monitoring app (GROWIN): a mobile Health (mHealth) tool to improve the diagnosis and early management of growth and nutritional disorders in childhood

Antonio de Arriba Muñoz  1   2 , María Teresa García Castellanos  1   2 , Mercedes Domínguez Cajal  1   2 , Anunciación Beisti Ortego  1   2 , Ignacio Martínez Ruiz  3   4 , José Ignacio Labarta Aizpún  1   2
Affiliations

Automated growth monitoring app (GROWIN): a mobile Health (mHealth) tool to improve the diagnosis and early management of growth and nutritional disorders in childhood

Antonio de Arriba Muñoz et al. J Am Med Inform Assoc. .

Abstract

Objective: To assess the functionality and feasibility of the GROWIN app for promoting early detection of growth disorders in childhood, supporting early interventions, and improving children's lifestyle by analyzing data collected over 3 years (2018-2020).

Methods: We retrospectively assessed the growth parameters (height, weight, body mass index [BMI], abdominal circumference) entered by users (caregivers/parents) in the GROWIN app. We also analyzed the potential health problems detected and the messages/recommendations the app showed. Finally, we assessed the possible impact/benefit of the app on the growth of the children.

Results: A total of 21 633 users (Spanish [65%], Latin American [30%], and others [5%]) entered 10.5 ± 8.3 measurements (0-15 y old). 1200 recommendations were for low height and 550 for low weight. 1250 improved their measurements. A specialist review was recommended in 500 patients due to low height. 2567 nutrition tests were run. All children with obesity (n = 855, BMI: 27.8 kg/m2 [2.25 SD]) completed the initial test with a follow-up of ≥1 year. Initial results (score: 8.1) showed poor eating habits (fast food, commercially baked goods, candy, etc.), with >90% not having breakfast. After 3-6 months, BMI decreased ≥1 point, and test scores increased ≥2 points. This benefit was maintained beyond 1 year and was correlated with an improvement in BMI (r = -.65, P = .01).

Discussion/conclusions: The GROWIN app represents an innovative automated solution for families to monitor growth. It allows the early detection of abnormal growth indicators during childhood and adolescence, promoting early interventions. Additionally, in children with obesity, an improvement in healthy nutritional habits and a decrease in BMI were observed.

Keywords: digital technologies; early diagnosis; growth monitoring; mHealth application; obesity; prevention.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Appearance of the different app screens. (A) New way of representing percentiles. (B) Usual representation of percentiles. (C) Personal recommendations.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Geographic distribution of the users of GROWIN app (2018–2020) and characteristics of the children for whom they entered data in the app.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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