Type 2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the world. In 2014, 422 million people were affected by this disease worldwide. Moreover, its prevalence is increasing, with 570 million people estimated to be affected by 2030 and 700 million by 2045. This is mainly due to the increase in obesity and excess weight, risk factors directly related to Type 2 diabetes.
‘The increasing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is putting great pressure on healthcare systems, which underscores the importance of empowering patients to manage their condition effectively. That is why, with this study, we wanted to see if mobile applications are really useful for controlling the disease, together with medical monitoring’, explains Rosa Casas, who led the project jointly with Ramón Estruch, the head of the IDIBAPS research group Cardiovascular risk, nutrition and ageing and a senior consultant at Hospital Clínic’s Internal Medicine Department. Both are members of CIBEROBN and the University of Barcelona’s Institute for Nutrition and Food Safety Research (INSA-UB).
The study followed 123 people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the last two years. The participants were split into two groups. While both groups continued with their usual medical monitoring, the members of one also used the Greenhabit app every day. As might be expected, both groups showed improvements in blood glucose levels. However, participants who used the app experienced additional benefits in different aspects of their health.
Greenhabit users reduced their waist circumference, a key indicator of cardiometabolic health. Waist circumference is considered a risk factor when it exceeds 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women. Participants who used the app also experienced a slight improvement in their weight, blood pressure, triglycerides and levels of HDL cholesterol, also known as ‘good’ cholesterol.
Another positive result was the improvement in the quality of life of patients who used the app. Users reported increased positivity, an improvement in their social environment and a better balance between work and family life.
‘The application has proven effective not only in improving health habits, but also in motivating patients to stay active and committed to their treatment. We believe that this tool could help patients to manage Type 2 diabetes, improving their adherence to treatment and reducing the risk of complications associated with the disease,’ concludes Ana María Ruiz, an IDIBAPS researcher and the first author of the study.
The Greenhabit app uses gamification features to pose daily challenges for users to adopt healthier habits, such as improving their diet, being more active, managing stress, cultivating a more positive attitude and encouraging socialisation. Users can invite their friends to participate, thereby creating a support network.
This study was made possible with the help of CIBEROBN, an initiative of Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), and the University of Barcelona’s Institute for Nutrition and Food Safety Research, which has been recognised with the Maria de Maeztu grant of excellence (CEX2021-001234-M), funded by MICIN/AEI/FEDER, UE.
Original paper
Ruiz-Leon A, Casas R, Castro-Barquero S, Alfaro-González S, Radeva P, Sacanella E, Casanovas-Garriga F, Pérez-Gesalí A, Estruch R. Efficacy of a Mobile Health–Based Behavioral Treatment for Lifestyle Modification in Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management: Greenhabit Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res 2025;27:e58319. DOI: 10.2196/58319
