Digital Nutrition for Children Aged 6–12: Tackling Obesity and Bullying through Personalized Diets via a Mobile Application | ||
| مجلة الاقتصاد المنزلي | ||
| Volume 41, Issue 4, December 2025, Pages 49-76 PDF (496.56 K) | ||
| Document Type: المقالة الأصلية | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jhe.2025.450319 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Ashraf A. Abd El-Megeid1; Rania Mahmoud Abd-Elmoneim2; Omnia Osama Hamed3; Eman F. El-Haggar4 | ||
| 1Nutrition and Food Science Dept., Faculty of Home Economics, Helwan University, Egypt | ||
| 2Home Economics Dept., faculty of specific Education, Ain Shams University, Egypt | ||
| 3MSc student, Nutrition and Food Science Dept., Faculty of Home Economics, Helwan University, Egypt | ||
| 4Nutrition and Food Science Dept., Faculty of Home Economics, Arish University, North Sinia, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Childhood obesity is a growing global concern, particularly in children aged 6–12. Mobile health applications represent a promising tool for dietary planning, parental engagement, and behavior modification. This study reports on the development and pilot testing of a mobile application designed to promote healthy eating habits and reduce obesity risk in children. Significant improvements were observed across psychosocial and clinical outcomes. On the bullying scale, the computed T-test value (6.41, df = 29) exceeded the critical values at both the 0.05 and 0.01 levels, indicating a highly significant reduction in bullying experiences. The post-test mean score (36.73 ± 8.71) was markedly lower than the pre-test mean (44.20 ± 8.72). Family medical history analysis highlighted strong hereditary and lifestyle-related risk factors, with diabetes (73.33%), obesity and hypertension (60%), and heart disease (46.67%) most prevalent. Biochemical indicators also showed favorable trends. Total cholesterol decreased in both sexes (females: 189.60 to 177.40 mg/dL; males: 187.60 to 178.20 mg/dL), triglycerides declined (females: 140.80 to 132.20 mg/dL; males: 141.40 to 131.60 mg/dL), and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) levels improved modestly (females: 47.20 to 49.60 mg/dL; males: 42.20 to 45.80 mg/dL). Although sex-based differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), the overall patterns reflected metabolic improvement. These findings demonstrate the importance of mobile applications in combating childhood obesity by fostering healthier behaviors, reducing psychosocial burdens, and supporting public health strategies targeting early prevention. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Mobile application; program; Childhood obesity; Dietary planning; Bullying Scale; Healthy kids application | ||
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