There are more than 320,000 accessible health apps, with the most downloaded of those related to physical exercise and weight control. However the initiatives for their validation address only partial aspects of the evaluation. The EVALAPPS project aims to develop an assessment tool for overweight and obesity management apps, based on the evaluation of efficacy, effectiveness and safety. In the present phase of the project, the team is co-creating the assessment tool considering both the evidence and the expertise of professionals (co-creation process).

Proposed co-creation methodology includes: 1) a modified Delphi process for selecting the assessment criteria. Criteria were identified through a) an exhaustive review of the criteria used by several mHealth assessment tools and b) a systematic review of efficacy, safety and effectiveness criteria used in mHealth interventions that assess overweight and obesity management. 2) a co-creation session using “Design Thinking” techniques for defining the final content and appearance of the tool (November 2018).

Ten dimensions and 133 criteria were identified, both in relation to the outputs (Usability, Clinical Effectiveness, Security, Development, etc.) and the outcomes (such as weight loss, number of steps). Of those, 114 were included in the modified Delphi, in which 31 professionals participated. A set of 63 criteria were selected as candidates for being part of the tool. Criteria mainly belonged to Security (22%) and Usability dimensions (14%), followed by Quality (11%), and outcomes related to Activity (11%) and Physical status (11%). Once the co-creation session has been performed, the final tool will be developed.

Relevant criteria to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mHealth interventions in the management of overweight and obesity have been identified. Once the tool is developed it will be user tested and piloted on users of overweight and obesity management apps.