Development Of Weight Management Model Using Application For Obese Undergraduate Students In The Western Group Of Rajabhat Universities

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a sustainable weight management model using mobile applications for obese undergraduate students in the Western Rajabhat University Group. The research was conducted in three phases. Phase 1 assessed the causes of obesity (n = 184) through questionnaires and interviews. Phase 2 involved developing and implementing the “SHARED Model for Sustainable Weight Management,” which was designed based on Phase 1 findings and incorporated intermittent fasting, Bandura’s self-regulation theory, and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The intervention employed MyFitnessPal, Google Fit, and Daylio across six structured activities. The model was tested in an eight-week intervention with experimental and control groups (n = 40 each), followed by an evaluation at Week 10. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and descriptive statistics. Results indicated that the experimental group achieved significantly higher mean scores (p < .01) in obesity-related knowledge, self-regulation in weight control, and health behaviors related to weight control compared to the control group. Additionally, waist circumference in the experimental group decreased significantly more than in the control group (p < .01). Within-group analysis further revealed that, in the experimental group, obesity-related knowledge, self-regulation in weight control, and health behaviors in weight control increased significantly (p < .01), while body weight, waist circumference, and body fat percentage decreased significantly compared to pre-intervention values. Phase 3 assessed participant satisfaction (n = 40). Overall, participants reported high satisfaction with the SHARED Model (M = 4.19, SD = 0.46).