Exploring engagement with a web-based dietary intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes: A mixed methods evaluation of the T2Diet study.

<h4>Background</h4>Improved understanding of participant engagement in web-based dietary interventions is needed. Engagement is a complex construct that may be best explored through mixed methods to gain comprehensive insight. To our knowledge, no web-based dietary intervention in people...

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Main Authors: Jedha Dening, Karly Zacharia, Kylie Ball, Elena S George, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2022-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279466
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author Jedha Dening
Karly Zacharia
Kylie Ball
Elena S George
Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam
author_facet Jedha Dening
Karly Zacharia
Kylie Ball
Elena S George
Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam
author_sort Jedha Dening
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Improved understanding of participant engagement in web-based dietary interventions is needed. Engagement is a complex construct that may be best explored through mixed methods to gain comprehensive insight. To our knowledge, no web-based dietary intervention in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) has previously used a mixed methods approach. The aim of this study was to explore factors that may contribute to effective engagement in a web-based dietary program for people with T2D.<h4>Methods</h4>This study employed a mixed methods intervention design, with a convergent design embedded for post-intervention evaluation. The convergent design collected and analyzed quantitative and qualitative data independent of each other, with the two datasets merged/compared during results/interpretation. Quantitative data collected from intervention group participants (n = 40) were self-administered questionnaires and usage data with average values summarized. Qualitative data were participant semi-structured interviews (n = 15) incorporating a deductive-inductive thematic analysis approach.<h4>Results</h4>The results from the quantitative and qualitative data indicated positive overall engagement with the web-based dietary program. Factors that contributed to effective engagement were sustained frequency and intensity of engagement; structured weekly program delivery; participants affective engagement prior to and during the intervention, with positive affective states enhancing cognitive and behavioral engagement; and participants experience of value and reward. In addition, the user-centered development process employed prior to intervention delivery played an important role in facilitating positive engagement outcomes.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study yielded novel findings by integrating qualitative and quantitative data to explore engagement with a web-based dietary program involving people with T2D. Effective engagement occurred in this intervention through a combination of factors related to usage and participants' affective, cognitive and behavioral states. The engagement outcomes that emerged will be useful to current and future researchers using digital technologies to deliver lifestyle interventions for T2D or other chronic health conditions.
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spelling doaj.art-bf9749973b71489f89fd7981d52ac5012023-01-05T05:31:31ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032022-01-011712e027946610.1371/journal.pone.0279466Exploring engagement with a web-based dietary intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes: A mixed methods evaluation of the T2Diet study.Jedha DeningKarly ZachariaKylie BallElena S GeorgeSheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam<h4>Background</h4>Improved understanding of participant engagement in web-based dietary interventions is needed. Engagement is a complex construct that may be best explored through mixed methods to gain comprehensive insight. To our knowledge, no web-based dietary intervention in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) has previously used a mixed methods approach. The aim of this study was to explore factors that may contribute to effective engagement in a web-based dietary program for people with T2D.<h4>Methods</h4>This study employed a mixed methods intervention design, with a convergent design embedded for post-intervention evaluation. The convergent design collected and analyzed quantitative and qualitative data independent of each other, with the two datasets merged/compared during results/interpretation. Quantitative data collected from intervention group participants (n = 40) were self-administered questionnaires and usage data with average values summarized. Qualitative data were participant semi-structured interviews (n = 15) incorporating a deductive-inductive thematic analysis approach.<h4>Results</h4>The results from the quantitative and qualitative data indicated positive overall engagement with the web-based dietary program. Factors that contributed to effective engagement were sustained frequency and intensity of engagement; structured weekly program delivery; participants affective engagement prior to and during the intervention, with positive affective states enhancing cognitive and behavioral engagement; and participants experience of value and reward. In addition, the user-centered development process employed prior to intervention delivery played an important role in facilitating positive engagement outcomes.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study yielded novel findings by integrating qualitative and quantitative data to explore engagement with a web-based dietary program involving people with T2D. Effective engagement occurred in this intervention through a combination of factors related to usage and participants' affective, cognitive and behavioral states. The engagement outcomes that emerged will be useful to current and future researchers using digital technologies to deliver lifestyle interventions for T2D or other chronic health conditions.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279466
spellingShingle Jedha Dening
Karly Zacharia
Kylie Ball
Elena S George
Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam
Exploring engagement with a web-based dietary intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes: A mixed methods evaluation of the T2Diet study.
PLoS ONE
title Exploring engagement with a web-based dietary intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes: A mixed methods evaluation of the T2Diet study.
title_full Exploring engagement with a web-based dietary intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes: A mixed methods evaluation of the T2Diet study.
title_fullStr Exploring engagement with a web-based dietary intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes: A mixed methods evaluation of the T2Diet study.
title_full_unstemmed Exploring engagement with a web-based dietary intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes: A mixed methods evaluation of the T2Diet study.
title_short Exploring engagement with a web-based dietary intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes: A mixed methods evaluation of the T2Diet study.
title_sort exploring engagement with a web based dietary intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes a mixed methods evaluation of the t2diet study
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279466
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