A recent study from the University of Oulu, Finland, has shown promising results for managing obesity through a mobile application named Onnikka.
Developed based on the Persuasive Systems Design method under Professor Harri Oinas-Kukkonen’s guidance, Onnikka has demonstrated its effectiveness as a tool for self-managing obesity.
The trial, aiming to determine whether a mobile app could aid in weight loss without additional support, involved 200 participants with a BMI of 30–40 kg/m².
It compared the weight changes of participants using the Onnikka app with a control group who received access to the app six months later.
Over six months, users of the Onnikka app showed a significant weight reduction of 2.5%, whereas the control group saw a slight weight increase of 0.2%.
Impressively, the positive effects of Onnikka persisted even after 12 months, with users maintaining an average weight loss of 2.1%.
One of the notable aspects of this study was the high engagement level of participants with the app. Unlike typical lifestyle apps, where users often drop out shortly after starting, nearly 90% of participants remained active in the trial for a year.
This high retention rate underscores the app’s appeal and effectiveness in engaging users over a prolonged period.
Professor Janne Hukkanen, who led the clinical trial, believes that mobile Onnikka could be a solution to the growing obesity epidemic, at least in part.
The study’s uniqueness lies in its large participant number and the extended follow-up period, offering robust data on the app’s effectiveness.
Participants received no other obesity treatment besides using mobile Onnikka. This underscores the app’s potential as a cost-effective solution for large patient groups.
The study’s results, published in the International Journal of Obesity, have led to the establishment of the Onnikka Health company to commercialize the app and make it available to health care organizations.
Health care providers in Finland, where about 1.2 million individuals suffer from obesity, have started offering Onnikka to patients.
Pilot programs are underway in several regions, including the Central Finland well-being services county and the cities of Vantaa and Kerava.
Emeritus Professor Markku Savolainen, one of Onnikka’s main developers, highlights the significance of this study.
It demonstrates the viability of digital treatment for obesity as a self-care option, especially when grounded in research.
In conclusion, the Onnikka app, rooted in persuasive design and research, offers a new, effective approach to obesity self-management.
Its success in the trial and subsequent commercialization mark a significant step forward in leveraging digital solutions to address public health challenges like obesity.
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The research findings can be found in International Journal of Obesity.
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