Effectiveness of Mobile Healthcare Interventions for Individuals with Metabolic Abnormalities in Chungcheongbuk-do: Focusing on Health Behaviors and Metabolic Indicators Yeon je-ok Department of Bio-Wellness Convergence, Specialization in Nutritional ...
Effectiveness of Mobile Healthcare Interventions for Individuals with Metabolic Abnormalities in Chungcheongbuk-do: Focusing on Health Behaviors and Metabolic Indicators Yeon je-ok Department of Bio-Wellness Convergence, Specialization in Nutritional Science Graduate School of Konkuk University This study evaluated the effectiveness of ICT-based mobile healthcare interventions in improving metabolic health indicators and dietary practices among Korean adults with one or more metabolic risk factors, The intervention was first implemented through public health centers in Chungju-si (2021–2023), and later expanded to rural and urban regions of Chungcheongbuk-do Province (2019 and 2023), allowing for a comparative analysis before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 1,986 participants were included in the study—244 from Chungju, 1,204 from rural areas, and 538 from urban areas—who had at least one of the following risk factors: abdominal obesity, hypertension, elevated fasting blood sugar (FBS), or dyslipidemia, as identified through national health screening data. The analysis focused on sex- and age-specific differences in health outcomes and behavioral change across intervention periods. Health indicators examined included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), fasting blood suger (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG). Dietary behavior was evaluated through breakfast consumption rate, sodium-reduction practice, nutrition label awareness, and a composite dietary practice score measured through self-reported adherence and mobile counseling records. Results from Chungju showed a significant decrease in BMI from 25.32 to 23.98 kg/m² (p = 0.003), WC from 89.42 to 84.83 cm (p = 0.001), and DBP from 85.34 to 76.71 mmHg (p < 0.001). In rural areas, males in their 50s experienced notable reductions in SBP (133.6 to 128.4 mmHg, p = 0.012) and DBP (85.2 to 79.1 mmHg, p = 0.007), while females in their 50s and 60s also showed statistically significant improvements in blood pressure. Similarly, in urban areas, older females saw SBP decline from 134.7 to 128.5 mmHg (p = 0.015) and DBP from 84.5 to 78.2 mmHg (p = 0.008). While FBS levels in Chungju remained stable, rural females in their 60s experienced a significant decrease from 111.2 to 103.5 mg/dL (p = 0.010), and urban females in their 50s showed a reduction from 108.4 to 101.7 mg/dL (p < 0.05). These findings underscore the strong receptiveness and engagement among middle-aged female participants in adhering to mobile health interventions. Cholesterol profiles also improved in key demographics. TC in rural females in their 60s decreased from 217.1 to 201.4 mg/dL, and LDL-C from 138.7 to 127.1 mg/dL. Among urban females in their 50s, TC fell from 211.6 to 199.5 mg/dL, and LDL-C from 136.4 to 124.9 mg/dL. HDL-C levels either remained stable or showed slight increases, particularly in female groups. For instance, rural females in their 50s had HDL-C improvements from 52.3 to 54.1 mg/dL, while men showed minimal changes. Behavioral improvements were also observed in dietary practices. In Chungju, breakfast consumption increased from 59.4% to 70.8%, and sodium-reduction practices improved from 28.1% to 44.8%. Rural males in their 50s reported an increase in breakfast consumption from 52.2% to 68.4%, and urban males in their 40s from 47.6% to 65.9%. Urban females in their 40s recorded the highest nutrition label awareness at 81.5%, suggesting a high level of health literacy and dietary awareness. The composite dietary practice score in Chungju showed significant improvements across all years of intervention. Scores increased from 2.77 to 3.98 in 2021, from 2.75 to 4.00 in 2022, and from 2.58 to 3.79 in 2023 (all p < 0.001). Male participants consistently achieved higher final-stage scores, with an average of 3.91 in 2023, reflecting greater adherence over time. While female participants demonstrated strong initial improvements, a slight decline was observed in later stages, highlighting the need for continued motivational strategies and gender-specific support to maintain behavior change. These findings provide empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of mobile healthcare interventions delivered via public health centers and enhanced by ICT infrastructure. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the interventions successfully improved both clinical and behavioral health outcomes across diverse regions. In particular, middle-aged female participants benefitted significantly from the program, reinforcing the importance of tailored intervention models. In conclusion, ICT-based mobile healthcare strategies present a scalable, sustainable approach to chronic disease prevention and health promotion in community settings. To maximize long-term impact, public health systems should implement sex- and age-specific interventions, integrate emotional and educational support mechanisms, develop user-friendly dietary guidance tools, and establish performance-based monitoring systems for broader regional expansion. These efforts are crucial in advancing health equity and strengthening preventive healthcare systems in the post-pandemic era. Key words: Mobile healthcare, ICT-based intervention, Metabolic syndrome, Dietary practice, COVID-19, Rural and urban comparison