Development of a weight management service that considers individual physical characteristics and psychological factors
Authors: Sun Yi Jae , Cho Suah 
Published: June 2022

In modern society, life expectancy has increased, and the digital healthcare industry has grown up as people are more interested in health. Moreover, the recent spread of COVID-19 has increased the time spent at home, increasing the demand for weight control such as diet and nutrition-related products, exercise & fitness services. In the United States and Europe, weight management is mainly implemented to improve health or reduce health risk factors, whereas, in Korea, weight management is highly focused on external appearance alone. The purpose of this study is to propose a healthy weight management service design for users in their 20s and 30s in Korea who experience severe health problems in their weight management program by analyzing their needs and pain points in the process and defining fundamental problems. This study applied the double diamond model, a service design methodology, and divided the research process into discover, define, develop, and deliver. We conducted a digital ethnography of 20 selected weight management videos and in-depth interviews with 9 people who actively use the weight management process in order to collect user's verbal and non-verbal raw data and define service directions based on users' pain points and need & wants. Furthermore, we could substantiate specific solutions for service directions, the psychology types of each user, and the behavior inducement; and finalize the service architecture. Finally, we organized two sets of usability test of the service prototype of wireframes and developed the user interface design by applying heuristic evaluation criteria and analysis of the user observation from the test.As a result, we decided to use a smart mirror as a service platform based on the insight that visual observation is more effective than numerical value for weight management and the study that mirror exposure therapy is used to change users' behavior for actual weight management. In addition, We chose DTC genetic testing to identify the innate body information of each user and suggest appropriate nutrients, diets, and exercises for them. Not only that, but also, it was analyzed that in order for the user to continue weight management, it is necessary to habituate through user behavior improvement and gain motivation. Therefore, in order to form new habits of users, 1) 66 days were set as one unit, 2) the correct behavior model is to be presented to users, 3) persuasive technologies such as simplifying actions or going through steps were applied. Lastly, motivation is needed to maintain the habits, which must meet three factors: autonomy, relationship, and capability; for this reason, we provided functions according to user tendencies, provoked user interactions by sharing information and communicating with others, and comprised accomplishment process of one's goals. This study, applying DTC genetic testing results and using a smart mirror with strengthening users' experiences through the formation of digital and non-face-to-face platforms, differentiates from existing services in the healthcare industry.