How Frequently and for How Long Do Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Use Management Apps? The REALL Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to identify predictors of utilization of a type 2 diabetes (T2D) management App over time for insulin users (IUs) and noninsulin users (NIUs). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We followed over 16 weeks a national sample of unselected T2D adults who independently elected to download and pair a CONTOUR DIABETES App with their CONTOUR NEXT ONE glucose meter. App use and frequency of glucose testing were recorded. Baseline surveys recorded participant demographic, disease status, distress, medication taking, and views of technology to predict utilization. RESULTS: Mean age was 51.6 years (108 IUs; 353 NIUs), 48% were female, time with diabetes was 6.9 years, and self-reported HbA1c was 8.1% (36.3 mmol/mol). Mean duration of App use was 85.4 days and 40% stopped using the App before 16 weeks. Continuous users were older and reported higher distress, better medication taking, and more positive attitudes toward technology (all P < .01). IUs tested more frequently than NIUs, but frequency and intensity of testing decreased markedly for both groups over time. More predictors of App use frequency and testing occurred for NIUs than IUs: older age, higher HbA1c, lower distress, more medication taking (all P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: App use and testing decreased markedly over time. Variations in the predictors of frequency of App use suggest that the utilization of mobile technologies requires a tailored approach that addresses the specific needs of individual users, compared with adopting a one-size-fits-all strategy, and that IUs and NIUs may require very different strategies of customization.

"Healthy"/"Unhealthy" Food Brands Influence Health, Calorie, and Price Ratings of Food.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of healthy or unhealthy food brands on consumer ratings of a food's perceived healthfulness, caloric content, and estimated price. METHODS: Using a crossover design, 35 adults aged 18-25 years scored a variety of healthy and unhealthy foods paired with "healthy" or "unhealthy" brands or with no brand present, on their healthfulness, caloric content, and estimated price. For each outcome measure, ANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of brand condition on healthy and unhealthy foods. RESULTS: Pairing an unhealthy food with a "healthy brand" led to increased ratings of healthfulness (P < .001), decreased estimates of caloric content (P < .001), and increased price (P < .001). Pairing a healthy food with an "unhealthy brand" led to decreased ratings of healthfulness (P < .001), increased estimates of caloric content (P < .001), and decreased price (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings extend previous research showing that brands may influence perceptions of food products. Future studies are needed to understand the implications of pairing healthy foods with "unhealthy brands" on actual food intake.