A framework for designing healthy living web-based intervention to promote health behaviour change

The Web technology particularly has made significant changes in the way health care is traditionally practiced. Studies showed that the Web is capable of delivering effective, efficient, interactive and tailored content to users. Considering the extensive access range and capabilities of this advanced technology, researchers in health behavior have used the technology to develop and deliver interactive and comprehensive programs with the ultimate goal of promoting health behaviour change. However, limited research has been conducted to evaluate the effects of specific features of websites that focus on promoting health behaviour among young adults. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework to assist the development of a web-based intervention that promotes health behaviour changes. The framework suggests that an effective web-based intervention promotes and maintains targeted health behavior change through instructional design phases. The framework involves the users, environmental influences, website use and engagement, which is influenced by both internal and external supports and effective website characteristics. Website use and engagement encourage health behaviour change and sustain the changes through various mechanisms of change. It is expected that this proposed framework would assist researchers develop feasible, informed, and testable web-based intervention.