Effects of the EatWelLog App on Enhancing Diet Management for Older Adults With Sarcopenic Obesity
1 other identifier
interventional
212
1 country
1
Brief Summary
Background: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) affects 10% of older adults increased to 23% of those 75+, raising health risks and health cost. Objectives: We will evaluate the effects of the EatWelLog App-based intervention on SO status (primary outcome), and nutritional and exercise parameters (secondary outcomes) by enhancing self-management and sustaining diet adherence among the m-Health group using the App versus the control group. Following verification of the intervention's effectiveness, we will analyse its cost-effectiveness. Design and subjects: Randomized controlled trial with 212 older people with SO. Interventions: The m-Health group will receive an 8-week supervised nutrition and exercise programme, incorporating the EatWelLog App for dietary management during and after the supervised programme. The control group will receive the same programme without the App. Main outcome measures and analysis: The primary outcome is SO status evaluated using handgrip strength, muscle mass, body fat mass, and physical performance. Secondary outcomes include nutritional status, quality of life and exercise adherence. The App intervention's costeffectiveness will be analysed. Expected results: The m-Health group should demonstrate greater, more sustained improvements in SO and secondary outcomes compared to the control group at Week 8, and at the 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups. Clinical significance: The EatWelLog App could provide customized support, enhance dietary adherence, and improve long-term outcomes, offering a novel, economical approach to SO management.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable
Started Oct 2026
Typical duration for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
October 1, 2026
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
October 5, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
October 9, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
March 31, 2029
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
September 30, 2029
October 9, 2026
October 1, 2026
2.5 years
October 5, 2026
October 5, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (6)
Muscle Strength
Handgrip strength (kg) will be measured by using a Takei TKK5401 digital hand dynamometer.
From baseline (T0) to 8 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), 9 months (T4), and 12 months (T5) after completing the program
Muscle Quantity
Muscle mass (kg) will be measured by using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody S10, Korea).
From baseline (T0) to 8 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), 9 months (T4), and 12 months (T5) after completing the program.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
The weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2.
From baseline (T0) to 8 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), 9 months (T4), and 12 months (T5) after completing the program.
Waist Circumference
Waist circumference was taken as the minimum circumference between the umbilicus and xiphoid process and measured to the nearest 0.5 cm.
From baseline (T0) to 8 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), 9 months (T4), and 12 months (T5) after completing the program.
Fat Mass
Fat mass (kg) will be measured by using bioelectrical impedance analysis (S10, Korea).
From baseline (T0) to 8 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), 9 months (T4), and 12 months (T5) after completing the program.
The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scale
The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scale will be used to measure physical function, which is a well-established tool for monitoring function in older people, which contains three kinds of assessments: stand for 10 seconds with feet in 3 different positions, 3-meter or 4-meter walking speed test, and time to rise from a chair for five times. The scores of SPPB range from 0 (worst performance) to 12 (best performance). The minimum and maximum values are 0 and 10 respectively. Higher scores mean a better performance.
From baseline (T0) to 8 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), 9 months (T4), and 12 months (T5) after completing the program.
Secondary Outcomes (8)
Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) Short-form
From baseline (T0) to 8 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), 9 months (T4), and 12 months (T5) after completing the program.
Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) Nutrition Self-efficacy Scale
From baseline (T0) to 8 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), 9 months (T4), and 12 months (T5) after completing the program.
Dietary Quality Index-International (DQI-I)
From baseline (T0) to 8 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), 9 months (T4), and 12 months (T5) after completing the program.
EuroQoL 5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L)
From baseline (T0) to 8 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), 9 months (T4), and 12 months (T5) after completing the program.
Diet Adherence
From baseline (T0) to 8 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), 9 months (T4), and 12 months (T5) after completing the program.
- +3 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (2)
M-Health Group
EXPERIMENTALM-Health group will receive an 8-week supervised nutrition and exercise programme, and training to incorporate the EatWelLog App for daily dietary management.
Control Group
SHAM COMPARATORControl group will receive the identical 8-week supervised programme without using the EatWelLog App.
Interventions
• This programme aims to improve the participants' self-efficacy in adopting our previously validated diet regimen\*. It includes 3 personalized, one-hour, face-to-face sessions in weeks 1, 3 and 7 conducted by a dietitian plus 5 dietary related health talks in the remaining weeks (i.e. Week 2, 4-6, 8) * Dietary Regimen: a moderate hypocaloric diet reduces daily energy intake by 12% for steady weight loss while preserving muscle mass9. To address the reduced anabolic response in older people, a protein intake of 1.5 g/kg of body weight per day is recommended, with leucine-rich animal proteins prioritized to enhance muscle development9
Participants will receive an 8-week exercise training during the programme. The training combines resistance and aerobic exercises to increase muscle mass and strength while reducing fat in individual with SO. Participants will receive a YouTube link and pamphlet detailing exercises to follow 30 minutes daily, five times a week, during and after the programme.
Participants in the M-health group will be instructed to use the EatWelLog App for daily diet self-management. This App supports participants with SO by providing a structured approach to managing a diet that encourages steady weight loss while maintaining muscle mass. Nutritional recommendations will be also be provided according to individuals' demographic information.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Community-dwelling older people aged \> 50 years;
- Meeting the diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia according to the Asian Sarcopenia Working Group (ASWG) which include:
- Sarcopenia refers to the fulfillment both of the following criteria: For participants aged 50-64: low handgrip strength \< 34 kg for men and \< 20 kg for women, low muscle quality as reflected by low appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) /height squared \< 7.6 kg/m2 for men and \<5.7 kg/m2 for women. For participants aged 65 or above: handgrip strength \<28kg (men) and \<18 kg (women); appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM)/ height2 \<7 kg/m2 (men) and \<5.7 kg/m2 (women).
- Obesity refers to the fulfillment of one of the following criteria: Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 25kg/m2 or waist circumference ≥ 90 cm in men and ≥ 80 cm in women, or percentage of body fat \> 30%.
- Able to communicate, read, and write in Chinese without significant hearing and vision problems to ensure that our instructions are understood; and • Own a smartphone, and able to access the internet at home or elsewhere.
You may not qualify if:
- With any form of disease or condition that might affect food intake and digestion (such as severe heart or lung diseases, renal diseases, diabetes, cancer, or autoimmune diseases);
- Taking medications that may influence eating behaviour, digestion, or metabolism (such as weight loss medication);
- With alcohol use disorder as defined by DSM-5, potentially hindering dietary behaviour changes; and
- Having any medical implant device such as a pacemaker, because low-level currents will flow through the body when doing the bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA by InBody S10, Korea), which may cause the device to malfunction.
- Have a Functional Ambulatory Classification (FAC) score of \<7, indicating impaired mobility to participate in exercise training.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Related Publications (41)
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MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Justina Liu, PhD
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Masking Details
- A biostatistician who will randomize group assignment as well as final data analyses
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Associate Head & Professor
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
October 5, 2026
First Posted
October 9, 2026
Study Start
October 1, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
March 31, 2029
Study Completion (Estimated)
September 30, 2029
Last Updated
October 9, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-10
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share
For confidentiality, The research team will collect and use only the minimum amount of personal data necessary. All personal data will be handled in accordance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance of Hong Kong. Each participant will be assigned a unique study identification code, and no identifying information will appear in any reports or publications. All research records will be stored securely in password protected electronic systems and/or locked cabinets, accessible only to authorized research personnel.