Two-Stage Evaluation of a Telehealth Nutrition Management Service in Support of Diabesity Therapy

Background: Diabesity, a combination of diabetes mellitus type 2 and obesity, is one of the biggest global health problems. Individual nutrition therapy and physical activity are effective measures in prevention and treatment. Methods: Requirements for an integrated diabesity service were specified and evaluated in two stages. The aim of the first stage was to perform a feasibility trial in patients with diabesity, using separate diaries. DiabMemory for diabetes and Nutrinaut for nutrition. Based on the results of the first stage, a prototype of an integrated diabesity solution (KIT-Nutriton, AIT) was developed and evaluated. Results: First stage trial was performed with 10 diabesity patients (2f, med:53 y. (IQR:7), T2DM, BMI > 28 kg/m²) with 3 months follow-up and a significant reduction of BMI. Participants noticed concerns about using two separate diary solutions. Results of the field trial with KIT-Nutrition with 14 healthy subjects (3f, med:26 y (IQR: 20,25)) showed that overall, 77.6 % of the intended tasks had been achieved. Conclusion: Results show that the integrated KIT-Nutrition app, providing access to a nutrition database, is feasible and accepted by the users. Before further trials can be made, an extension for regional food terms is recommended.