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. 2025 May 2:15:100177.
doi: 10.1016/j.obpill.2025.100177. eCollection 2025 Sep.

The introduction of a new mobile lifestyle tool in the battle against hypothalamic obesity; the "HAPPYthalamus" application

I M A A van Roessel  1   2 , M J de Koning  2   3 , M V Birk  4 , J Blom  5 , J Dekker  6 , E J M Feskens  3 , J P de Graaf  7   8 , Y Lu  9 , D A Lucassen  3 , E Pondaag  10 , W J E Tissing  1   11 , H M van Santen  1   2
Affiliations

The introduction of a new mobile lifestyle tool in the battle against hypothalamic obesity; the "HAPPYthalamus" application

I M A A van Roessel et al. Obes Pillars. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Background: Children with hypothalamic dysfunction may experience hypothalamic weight gain, marked by severe hyperphagia, low energy expenditure, and reduced initiative. We developed the mobile app "HAPPYthalamus" to support these children by promoting exercise, providing distraction from hyperphagia, and rewarding healthy behavior. This study evaluated the app's usability and patient satisfaction.

Methods: This was a non-randomized, explorative intervention study. Children (8-18 years) with hypothalamic dysfunction and a suprasellar brain tumor were included. Patients were instructed to use the mobile application (app) for six months. We applied a mixed-methods design evaluating app use and satisfaction through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews.

Results: Of 22 patients, 15 scored positive on learning to use the app. Positive effects on eating distraction were reported by 9 patients. The app was not well adapted to different age groups; some found the challenges motivating while others were indifferent to winning challenges and forgot the app due to limited variety. Overall, 64% of the children indicated the app should be part of the standard of care.

Conclusions: A mobile app as a lifestyle buddy for children with hypothalamic dysfunction is useable but needs improvements. Adapting to age groups and incorporating behavioral change theories, gamification, and reward systems could enhance engagement and support a healthier lifestyle.

Keywords: Hyperphagia; Hypothalamic dysfunction; Mobile application; Reward; Suprasellar brain tumor.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: HM van Santen reports financial support was provided by Stichting Zaaigeld (Seeding Fund). If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Image 1
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Screenshots of the HAPPYthalamus app.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Use and satisfaction of the application (by questionnaire). Total included patients N = 22. A 5 point Likert scale was used. Agree includes categories completely agree and agree. Disagree includes categories completely disagree and disagree.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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