The effect of the use of a mobile application developed for adults at risk of diabetes on mediterranean-style nutrition, physical activity and metabolic parameters: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To examine the effect of the use of a mobile application developed for adults with diabetes risk on Mediterranean-type nutrition, physical activity and metabolic parameters. Method: In the two-stage study, the first stage is of the methodological type. At this stage, a mobile application was developed for individuals with prediabetes. The second phase is a randomized controlled clinical trial. 33 people who met the inclusion criteria were assigned to the experimental group and 28 people to the control group by stratified block randomization. The experimental group used the mobile application (PREDIABE-TR) developed by the researcher. The Ministry of Health's Diabetes Checklists Mobile Application and Türkiye Nutrition Guide Mobile Application were presented to the control group. Results: The content (CVI: 0.98) and usability of (CVI: 0.91) the PREDIABE-TR application were found to be high. While Mediterranean-type dietary behavior did not change in the intervention group, it increased significantly in the control group. There was a significant decrease in the physical activity level of both groups, but this change was not found to be different. In both groups, the proportion of normal blood glucose values increased. The change in the proportion of individuals with normal blood glucose levels and diabetes at baseline, follow-up and post-test did not differ significantly between the groups. There was an increase in systolic blood pressure in the control group and a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure and BMI in the intervention group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The scope and usability of the developed PREDIABE-TR mobile application were found to be high. The developed PREDIABE-TR mobile application did not improve the Mediterranean-type diet and physical activity levels of individuals, but it created a promising change in blood pressure, blood glucose and BMI values in metabolic parameters. Key words: Prediabetes, adult, mobile app, mediterranean diet, physical activity, nursing