Usability testing of EatsUp®: mobile application for monitoring balanced dietary practices and active lifestyle among adolescents—a study in Jakarta, Indonesia

TL;DR

This study tested the usability of EatsUp®, a mobile app designed to help adolescents in Jakarta adopt healthy eating and active lifestyles, finding it highly usable but with room for improvement.

Contribution

The study provides empirical usability data for EatsUp® among Indonesian adolescents, highlighting its effectiveness and areas for improvement.

Findings

EatsUp® received high user experience ratings across five of six parameters, ranking in the 'Excellent' category.

Participants used the app for seven consecutive days, indicating strong engagement.

Perspicuity was rated as 'Good,' suggesting a need for improved clarity in the app's design.

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical period for establishing lifelong health habits, yet many adopt unhealthy behaviors, leading to obesity and other non-communicable diseases. Mobile apps offer a promising platform for delivering health interventions through education. Usability testing is essential to ensure mobile app features align with adolescent preferences and promote sustained behavior change.

We conducted an experimental usability study from June to August 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia targeting adolescents aged 15–18 who used the EatsUp® mobile application. Participants engaged with the app for seven consecutive days, completing daily tasks and a user experience questionnaire. User experience was assessed across six domains—Attractiveness, Perspicuity, Efficiency, Dependability, Stimulation, and Novelty—using a 7-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, which were compared against established user experience benchmarks.

A total of 30 high school students participated (mean ± SD age 16 ± 0.70 years), of whom 23 (76.7%) were female. Most participants (90.0%) used the EatsUp® application for at least seven consecutive days. The app received positive and high user experience ratings across all six parameters, with mean scores exceeding 0.8. Compared to the benchmark data from previous UEQ studies, the app ranked in the “Excellent” category (top 10%) for five parameters, while Perspicuity was rated as “Good” (top 25%).

The EatsUp® app demonstrated strong usability, with an overall positive user experience. It ranked as “Excellent” in five user experience parameters except perspicuity, making it well-suited for adolescents. However, perspicuity needs improvement to enhance ease of use. Study limitations include a predominantly female sample from Jakarta-based schools, limiting generalizability. Future studies should include a more diverse population and explore features like gamification to enhance long-term engagement.

Figures