What factors impact on the effectiveness of digital tools to promote lifestyle modification: a preliminary observational study.

A 12 week longitudinal cohort study to identify the impact of pre-identified factors on engagement with digital tools in the context of weight management. Digital tools will be deployed over a 2 week period (T=0, T=1). Follow-up interviews will be conducted at weeks 4, 8 and 12 (T=3, T=4, T=5) by either phone or online surveys. Interview 1 (T=0) In the first interview participants (100) will be pre-screened for body dysmorphia using the cosmetic procedure screening questionnaire for body dysmorphic disorder (COPS) tool. Participants will complete an digital survey about their snacking habits and knowledge of calorie values of common foods. The participant will also be invited to complete the readiness for change (S-Weight) 6-item survey. The participants will be invited to nominate a time when they are most likely to eat between meals and they will be requested to monitor their consumption during this time using an electronic or paper-based food diary. The specific time will be nominated by the individual participant. Participants will be shown the Hunger app© as an option to record their snacking. The interview should take approximately 15 minutes. Interview 2 (T=1) Participants will be invited to discuss their food diary with the researcher and establish if they wish to modify their diet (Motivation) and whether they feel they have a strategy to address their food consumption (Ability). Participants will repeat the (S-Weight) and will also complete the validated P-Weight questionnaire. All participants will be offered freely and readily available online resources (Australian healthy eating website- http://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/australian-guide-healthy-eating; Australian food database for nutritional facts- https://www.calorieking.com/au/en/) and introduced to the FutureMe app© which shows an individualised avatar of their future self which can be modified depending on their diet and exercise choices. The participant can choose how they might wish to appear in the future and learn how many daily calories they would need to consume and expend to achieve that goal. Interviews 1 and 2 (T=0, T=1) will be video-recorded. The interview should take approximately 15 minutes. Interview 3-5 (T=2, T=3 T=4) Phone interviews will be conducted weeks 4, 8 and 12. Participants will repeat the readiness for change (S-Weight) survey. They will also be invited to discuss their experience of following the FutureMe app© recommendations. Any steps they have taken to achieve the goals they set for themselves will be recorded. The interview should take approximately 5 minutes. The study will take place on line. Recruitment will be facilitated by the research team. A research officer with previous experience in conducting qualitative interviews will deliver the intervention.