Tailored Support for Weight Loss: A Personalized Smartphone Application for Weight Loss

Abstract

Obesity and overweight are major public health concerns in Lebanon, affecting a large proportion of the population. Recent studies show that 39.9% of adult women (aged 18 and up) and 30.5% of adult men suffer from obesity. Lebanon's obesity prevalence is higher than the regional average of 10.3% for women and 7.5% for men, these alarming figures place Lebanon among the countries with the highest obesity rates in the MENA region. Faced with this concerning issue, a partnership between the biomedical engineering department and the nutrition department at the Lebanese German University resulted in the development of an innovative weight reduction application "NutriTrack". This research describes the creation of this application, concentrating on its usefulness in assisting users to lose weight in a healthy and sustainable manner in the setting of Lebanon. The app will harness the capabilities of digital technology to deliver nutritional advice, facilitate meal preparation and track functionalities which allows individuals to follow a suitable dietary plan. This user-friendly interface contains a vast database of recipes, dietary plans, nutritional information and advice provided by the nutrition department that will help individuals in choosing the suitable option tailored to their needs in alignment with their preferences and restrictions. Additionally, "NutriTrack" encourages users to adopt better dietary practices, supports greater nutrition management, and inspires them to choose healthier foods. Users of the program may increase their understanding of nutrition, which is one of its main advantages. The app will include instructional materials on a variety of nutrition-related subjects, including macronutrients, portion management, and designing well-balanced meal plans. Through engaging features like quizzes and informative articles, users can actively enhance their understanding of healthy eating principles and improve their overall nutritional knowledge. The overarching goal of the app is to drive positive health outcomes.

Keywords

• Healthy lifestyle
• Nutritrack
• Dietary plan
• Lifestyle improvement
• Nutritional advice.

References

1. Oneissy, Y., Waked, M., Al Hassrouty, R., Mansour, M., & Bou Farah, L. (2024). Tailored support for weight loss: A personalized smartphone application for weight loss. The Eurasia Proceedings of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (EPSTEM), 32, 160-172.