Promoting healthy lifestyles in developing countries using e- & mHealth: An example from multi-ethnic Malaysia Seminar

Developing countries are currently facing a double burden of disease: hygiene and sanitation are still pressing issues that cause infectious diseases in a number of low- and middle-income countries. However, due to the increased availability and consumption of processed foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar, and the decreased necessity of physical activity (e.g., physical labour) a growing number of developing countries have now to address the widespread occurrence of non-communicable diseases.

Promoting healthy lifestyles (e.g., eating healthily and being active) is therefore becoming an important health-care agenda in developing countries. Due to the growing access to modern ICT in many developing countries one promising way of delivering interventions that support health behaviours is via e- & mHealth approaches.

A 24-week stratified randomised-controlled trial examining the effects of motivational text-messaging to support exercise adherence in older adults was conducted in multi-ethnic Malaysia. The text messages were effective in promoting exercise, however, exercise participation decreased once the text messages ceased. Semi-structured interviews provided some insights as to how the text messages and their later absence impacted exercise behaviour of the participants.

During this seminar, I will introduce the study and present its results. I will conclude my presentation by discussing the use of e- & mHealth to promote healthy living in developing countries.