https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4488-5624
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Abstract
Background
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a serious public health issue. Dietary changes form the core of MetS treatment. The adherence to dietary recommendations is critical for reducing the severity of MetS components and preventing complications. However, the adherence to dietary recommendations was not adequate among adults with MetS. This study utilizes the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) to develop an individualized WeChat mini program-based behavioural change intervention aimed at strengthening adherence to dietary recommendations in people with MetS.
Methods
The BCW theory was used to design an individualized WeChat mini program-based behavioural change intervention. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted to identify the determinants of adherence to dietary recommendations in individuals with MetS. The study was conducted at the health promotion centre of a prominent general university hospital in Zhejiang, China. Subsequently, the intervention functions (IFs) and policy categories were selected following the identified determinants. Afterwards, behaviour change techniques (BCTs) were chosen to translate into potential intervention strategies, and the delivery mode was determined.
Results
Our study identified fifteen barriers to improve the adherence to dietary recommendations in this population. These were linked with six IFs: education, training, persuasion, enablement, modelling, and environmental restructuring. Then, twelve BCTs were linked with the IFs and fifteen barriers. The delivery mode was a WeChat mini program. After these actions, an individualized WeChat mini program-based behavioural change intervention was developed to enhance adherence to dietary recommendations for individuals with MetS.
Conclusions
The BCW theory helped scientifically and systematically develop an individualized WeChat mini program-based behavioural change intervention for individuals with MetS. In the future, our research team will refine and upgrade the WeChat mini program and then test the usability and effectiveness of the individualized WeChat mini program-based behavioural change intervention program.
Key Messages
This is the first paper to specify the content and active ingredients of an individualized WeChat mini program-based behavioural change intervention using a systematic evidence- and theory-based method for individuals with MetS.
The findings can be used to provide guidance to improve dietary adherence, and ultimately improve the lives of people with MetS.
This methodology can serve as a reference for other researchers who are developing behavioural change interventions.
Acknowledgements
We sincerely appreciate the participating hospital and all individuals with MetS who participated in this study.
Authors contributions
Dandan Chen: Conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, writing-original draft, writing-review & editing. Jing Shao: Conceptualization, formal analysis, writing-review & editing. Hui Zhang: Conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis. Jingjie Wu: Conceptualization, revising the article. Erxu Xue: Methodology, writing-review & editing. Pingping Guo: Methodology, writing-review & editing. Nianqi Cui and Xiyi Wang: Data curation. Liying Chen and Zhihong Ye: The conception and design of the study, validation, supervision, formal analysis, writing - review & editing. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript and Agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
The datasets generated and analysed in this study are not publicly available due to privacy concerns. However, they can be obtained from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.