THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUTRITION-RELATED APPS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Introduction: Obesity and related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are major public health concerns in many countries, including South Africa. While nutrition-related apps have been considered a promising solution to address these issues, their impact is not yet evident given their limited adoption...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Education in Action Club
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Global Journal of Public Health Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.gjphm.org/index.php/gjphm/article/view/292 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849331024673112064 |
|---|---|
| author | Hema Kesa Gifty Koufie Alex Tchuenchieu |
| author_facet | Hema Kesa Gifty Koufie Alex Tchuenchieu |
| author_sort | Hema Kesa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Obesity and related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are major public health concerns in many countries, including South Africa. While nutrition-related apps have been considered a promising solution to address these issues, their impact is not yet evident given their limited adoption and the persistently high prevalence of these diseases. This study aims to assess user perceptions of the effectiveness of these apps in Johannesburg (most urbanized region of the country) and their motivations for using them. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted in the city in 2019, targeting 150 users aged 18 to 38 (Millennials and Generation Z). Results: The results revealed that participants used more than ten different nutrition-related apps, with 91.4% utilizing both diet and fitness features. However, only 56.6% to 67.4% of respondents agreed on the overall effectiveness of the nutrition apps they used. Users' expectations appeared to be more media-related, with the top five motivations being the monitoring capabilities, quality of information provided, support in achieving weight loss goals, recording ability, and the capacity to offer an overview of food consumption. These factors received average ratings of 3.75, 3.65, 3.54, 3.47, and 3.45 out of 5, respectively. Conclusion: These findings indicate that nutrition-related apps are seen as valuable tools for promoting healthier lifestyles. To enhance the effectiveness of strategies using these apps to combat obesity and chronic diseases, educational measures should be implemented for a widespread use. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8366f4f009344bb08812c34ee2f63646 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2664-4657 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Education in Action Club |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Global Journal of Public Health Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-8366f4f009344bb08812c34ee2f636462025-08-20T03:46:45ZengEducation in Action ClubGlobal Journal of Public Health Medicine2664-46572025-01-0171384810.37557/gjphm.v7i1.292282THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUTRITION-RELATED APPS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICAHema Kesa0Gifty Koufie1Alex Tchuenchieu2Food Evolution Research Laboratory, School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg, South AfricaFood Evolution Research Laboratory, School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg, South AfricaFood Evolution Research Laboratory, School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg, South AfricaIntroduction: Obesity and related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are major public health concerns in many countries, including South Africa. While nutrition-related apps have been considered a promising solution to address these issues, their impact is not yet evident given their limited adoption and the persistently high prevalence of these diseases. This study aims to assess user perceptions of the effectiveness of these apps in Johannesburg (most urbanized region of the country) and their motivations for using them. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted in the city in 2019, targeting 150 users aged 18 to 38 (Millennials and Generation Z). Results: The results revealed that participants used more than ten different nutrition-related apps, with 91.4% utilizing both diet and fitness features. However, only 56.6% to 67.4% of respondents agreed on the overall effectiveness of the nutrition apps they used. Users' expectations appeared to be more media-related, with the top five motivations being the monitoring capabilities, quality of information provided, support in achieving weight loss goals, recording ability, and the capacity to offer an overview of food consumption. These factors received average ratings of 3.75, 3.65, 3.54, 3.47, and 3.45 out of 5, respectively. Conclusion: These findings indicate that nutrition-related apps are seen as valuable tools for promoting healthier lifestyles. To enhance the effectiveness of strategies using these apps to combat obesity and chronic diseases, educational measures should be implemented for a widespread use.https://www.gjphm.org/index.php/gjphm/article/view/292millenialsobesitynon-communicable diseasesnutrition-related-appjohannesburg |
| spellingShingle | Hema Kesa Gifty Koufie Alex Tchuenchieu THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUTRITION-RELATED APPS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA Global Journal of Public Health Medicine millenials obesity non-communicable diseases nutrition-related-app johannesburg |
| title | THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUTRITION-RELATED APPS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA |
| title_full | THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUTRITION-RELATED APPS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA |
| title_fullStr | THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUTRITION-RELATED APPS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA |
| title_full_unstemmed | THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUTRITION-RELATED APPS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA |
| title_short | THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NUTRITION-RELATED APPS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA |
| title_sort | significance of nutrition related apps for the younger generation in johannesburg south africa |
| topic | millenials obesity non-communicable diseases nutrition-related-app johannesburg |
| url | https://www.gjphm.org/index.php/gjphm/article/view/292 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hemakesa thesignificanceofnutritionrelatedappsfortheyoungergenerationinjohannesburgsouthafrica AT giftykoufie thesignificanceofnutritionrelatedappsfortheyoungergenerationinjohannesburgsouthafrica AT alextchuenchieu thesignificanceofnutritionrelatedappsfortheyoungergenerationinjohannesburgsouthafrica AT hemakesa significanceofnutritionrelatedappsfortheyoungergenerationinjohannesburgsouthafrica AT giftykoufie significanceofnutritionrelatedappsfortheyoungergenerationinjohannesburgsouthafrica AT alextchuenchieu significanceofnutritionrelatedappsfortheyoungergenerationinjohannesburgsouthafrica |