Development of an individualized WeChat mini program-based intervention to increase adherence to dietary recommendations applying the behaviour change wheel among individuals with metabolic syndrome
Creators: name: Chen, Dandan
name: Shao, Jing
name: Zhang, Hui
name: Wu, Jingjie
name: Xue, Erxu
name: Guo, Pingping
name: Tang, Leiwen
name: Cui, Nianqi
name: Wang, Xiyi
name: Chen, Liying
name: Ye, Zhihong
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Ecology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Science Policy
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Cancer
subject: Mental Health
subject: Infectious Diseases
subject: FOS: Health sciences

description: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.