Childhood obesity affects about 1 in 5 kids worldwide, and researchers think smartphone apps could help families make healthier choices about food and exercise. However, many apps don’t keep kids and parents interested long enough to make a real difference. Scientists are testing a new family-friendly app called NoObesity to see if it actually helps kids become more active, eat better, and improves how doctors talk to families about weight. The study will follow 1,000 families and 180 healthcare workers for 6 months to measure real changes in behavior and health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a smartphone app designed for families can help prevent and manage childhood obesity by improving eating habits, physical activity, and communication between families and doctors.
  • Who participated: The study will include 1,000 families (children under 18 and their parents of any weight) and 180 healthcare professionals like doctors and nurses who work with children.
  • Key finding: This is a study protocol describing how researchers will test the app over 6 months, measuring changes at the start, 3 months, and 6 months. Results haven’t been collected yet, so we don’t know the outcomes.
  • What it means for you: If successful, this research could show that family-focused apps are a practical way to help kids stay active and eat well. However, the real impact won’t be known until the study is completed and results are published.

The Research Details

This is a mixed methods study, which means researchers will collect both numbers (like how many steps kids took) and personal stories (through interviews with families and doctors). The study uses a before-and-after design, where they measure health behaviors at the beginning, then again after 3 months and 6 months of using the app. This approach helps show whether changes happened because of the app. The NoObesity app is designed to help entire families work together on healthy habits, not just focus on one person. Researchers will also interview some families and healthcare workers to understand what they liked about the app, what was confusing, and whether it actually changed how they think about health.

Many health apps fail because people stop using them after a few weeks. By studying both the numbers and asking people about their experience, researchers can figure out what makes an app interesting enough to keep using. Understanding why people engage with apps is just as important as knowing if the app works, because an app that works but nobody uses is useless.

This study is well-designed because it includes a large number of participants (1,000 families), follows them for a reasonable length of time (6 months), and measures outcomes at multiple time points. The combination of numbers and personal interviews makes the results more trustworthy. However, since this is a protocol paper, the actual research hasn’t been completed yet, so we cannot evaluate the quality of the results themselves.

What the Results Show

This paper describes the study plan rather than actual results. The researchers will measure whether kids and families who use the NoObesity app increase their physical activity and improve their eating habits compared to their starting point. They will also measure whether healthcare professionals feel more confident talking to families about weight and health after using the app. The study will track these changes over 6 months using surveys, activity trackers, and interviews. The researchers will use statistical tests to see if the changes are meaningful or just happened by chance.

Beyond the main health behaviors, the study will also look at how happy and satisfied families feel using the app, how easy it is to use, and how often people actually open and use the app. These secondary measures help explain why the app might or might not work. For example, if the app helps kids exercise more but families hate using it, that tells us something important about what needs to change.

Previous research shows that digital health apps can help change behaviors, but many people stop using them because they’re boring or confusing. This study builds on that knowledge by focusing specifically on what keeps families engaged and how to design apps that people actually want to use. The family-focused approach is important because research suggests that when parents are involved, kids are more likely to stick with healthy habits.

Since this is a study protocol (the plan before the research happens), we cannot yet identify limitations in the results. However, potential limitations may include that families who volunteer for the study might be more motivated than average families, which could make the app seem more effective than it really is. Also, 6 months is a relatively short time to see lasting behavior change. The study doesn’t mention whether there will be a comparison group of families not using the app, which would make it harder to know if changes were caused by the app or other factors.

The Bottom Line

This research is still in progress, so we cannot yet recommend whether families should use the NoObesity app. Once results are published, families interested in using digital tools to support healthier habits should look for apps that are designed for the whole family, easy to use, and based on scientific research. Parents should discuss any new health programs with their child’s doctor.

Families with children of any weight who want to improve eating and exercise habits should pay attention to these results when they’re published. Healthcare professionals who work with children and families will benefit from understanding how to use digital tools in their practice. Parents and kids who struggle with motivation for healthy changes may find this research particularly relevant.

The study will take 6 months to complete data collection, and then several more months to analyze results and publish findings. Families shouldn’t expect to see major health changes in just a few weeks—meaningful behavior change typically takes 2-3 months of consistent effort. If the app is effective, benefits might include increased activity levels and better eating habits within 3-6 months.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily steps, minutes of physical activity, and meals eaten using the app’s built-in features. Set a specific goal like ‘walk 30 minutes after dinner’ and log completion each day to see progress over weeks and months.
  • Start with one small change as a family, such as a 15-minute walk together after dinner three times per week, rather than trying to change everything at once. Use the app to remind everyone about the plan and celebrate when the family completes the activity together.
  • Check the app weekly as a family to review activity and eating patterns. Discuss what went well and what was challenging. Adjust goals every 2-4 weeks based on what’s working. Share progress with your child’s doctor at regular checkups to get feedback and support.

This paper describes a research study protocol that has not yet been completed. No results or recommendations are available at this time. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your child’s doctor or healthcare provider. Before starting any new health program or using health apps, consult with your pediatrician or family doctor, especially if your child has any existing health conditions. The effectiveness of the NoObesity app has not yet been established through completed research.