Prevention of obesity and cardiovascular disease in young people using technology

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Excess weight gain during adolescence (14-18 years) and young adulthood (18-24 years) is associated with CVD in later life. Despite the significant investment into treatment for obesity, efforts have had limited success. Aiming to prevent obesity by halting weight gains at critical life stages where weight gain occurs, such as adolescence and young adulthood, could be a solution towards combating the obesity epidemic and thus reducing CVD prevalence in later life. Technology-based interventions can improve lifestyle behaviours in adults. Currently, over 80% of young people in developed countries own a Smartphone. Smartphones may offer an opportunity for intervention. However, there is limited long-term evidence for the role of mhealth in primary prevention of CVD in young people. In this manuscript, we discuss and review the potential use of mhealth for the primary prevention of CVD in young people, and we provide recommendations for further research.