Population
Indonesian adults living with obesity
A cross-institutional PhD research project
Rethinking obesity support, one daily decision at a time.
OptimApp investigates how a theory-informed mobile intervention can support weight management among Indonesian adults living with obesity.
Daily Target
1,450
kcal left
Lunch Log
450 kcal recorded
Nutrition Insight
"Increase protein intake this afternoon to support muscle recovery and satiety targets."
Can a culturally relevant mobile intervention make evidence-based weight-management support more accessible, engaging and feasible?
OptimApp brings together nutrition science, behavioural support and mobile technology. Its intervention, DietducateX, turns evidence-informed strategies into practical routines that can be used and studied in everyday life.
Study at a glance
From intervention design to real-world feasibility.
Study registration: ISRCTN45333971Design
Pilot feasibility study
Target
66 participants
Status
Ongoing · recruiting
The intervention
DietducateX
A mobile companion for structured nutrition and behaviour-change support—designed as the intervention platform for OptimApp.
DietducateX
01
Food, hydration and activity logging
02
Weight, waist and progress tracking
03
Goals, reminders and healthy-habit planning
04
Gamification and peer community
05
Nutrition education and daily tips
06
Ask Nutritionist support
The team
Interdisciplinary by design.
OptimApp connects nutritional epidemiology, data science, public health nutrition and field research across the United Kingdom and Indonesia.
PhD student · University of Leeds
Muhammad Iqbal
A public health nutrition researcher working at the intersection of nutrition and digital health. His research focuses on mHealth for weight management, building on experience developing nutrition platforms including Dietducate, AhliGiziID and Nilaigizi.com.
Co-supervisor · University of Leeds
Professor Michelle Morris
Professor of Data Science for Food and lead of the interdisciplinary Nutrition and Lifestyle Analytics team. Her work uses emerging data and data-science methods to understand diet, lifestyle, population health and planetary health.
Co-supervisor · University of Leeds
Professor Janet Cade
A nutritional epidemiologist and leader of the Nutritional Epidemiology Group at Leeds. Her research advances dietary assessment, including myfood24, and investigates relationships between diet and chronic disease.
Open research
A transparent research pathway.
Peer-reviewed publications are forthcoming. The study protocol, prospective registration and ethics approvals are available now.
Open Science Framework
Project materials and protocol documentation hosted on OSF.
View recordISRCTN45333971
ISRCTN45333971 · A study on a weight loss app for Indonesian adults living with obesity.
View recordBESS+ FREC 3238
Independent approval in both partner institutions, with governance spanning the UK and Indonesia.
Approved · 22/12/20250755/PL17.4/PG/2025
Independent approval in both partner institutions, with governance spanning the UK and Indonesia.
Approved · 17/06/2025Publications forthcoming
Findings will be shared through academic publications, conference outputs and the doctoral thesis as the study progresses.
Collaboration & support
Research across two institutions, supported by LPDP.
OptimApp is a PhD research collaboration between the University of Leeds and Politeknik Negeri Jember. The doctoral research is funded by the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP).
University of Leeds
Politeknik Negeri Jember
LPDP
Contact
Let’s discuss the research.
For academic collaboration, funding enquiries or questions about the OptimApp study, contact the research team.
Email the research team fsmi@leeds.ac.ukFrequently Asked Questions
Key information about the platform and how it supports structured nutrition programs.
What is DietducateX?
DietducateX is a mobile app designed to support weight loss using behaviour change techniques. The app helps users build healthier eating, physical activity, and lifestyle habits.
Who can use DietducateX?
DietducateX is intended for adults living with excess body weight who want support in managing their weight and developing healthier daily habits.
Is DietducateX free to use?
Yes. DietducateX is completely free to use. You will not be charged any fee for using the app.
Do I need to create an account?
Yes. For safety and account protection, users are required to create an account before using the app.
What features are available in DietducateX?
DietducateX includes reminders, gamification, an in-app community, Ask Nutritionist, food and activity logging, progress reports, and nutrition education through health article.
What is the purpose of reminders?
Reminders are designed to help users stay motivated and consistent with their weight-loss goals and healthy habit plans.
Can I adjust or turn off reminders?
Yes. You can adjust or turn off reminders based on your preferences.
What is the Community feature for?
The Community feature allows users to support and motivate each other. It is designed to help users feel that they are not alone during their weight-loss journey.
What is the Ask Nutritionist feature?
Ask Nutritionist allows users to receive reliable nutrition-related information from a qualified nutritionist or dietitian when they need support.
Does DietducateX replace consultation with a doctor, nutritionist, or dietitian?
No. DietducateX does not replace in-person consultation with a doctor, nutritionist, dietitian, or other healthcare professional. If you have a medical concern, you should seek professional care in person.
Does DietducateX provide medical diagnosis?
No. DietducateX does not provide medical diagnosis. Please consult a doctor in person if you need medical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment.
What is the OptimApp project?
OptimApp, or Obesity Prevention & Treatment through an Intervention Mobile App, is a PhD research project funded by LPDP. The project focuses on using a mobile app to support weight loss among people with obesity. It is a collaboration between the University of Leeds, United Kingdom, and Politeknik Negeri Jember, Indonesia.
Where do the calculations in the app come from?
The calculations used in DietducateX are based on recognised guidelines and scientific references, including:BMI classification for Indonesia: Indonesian Ministry of Health Regulation No. 41 of 2014 on Balanced Nutrition Guidelines.Recommended Dietary Allowance for Indonesia: Indonesian Ministry of Health Regulation No. 28 of 2019 on Recommended Dietary Allowance.Physical Activity Level: Agelv EH, Hopstock LA, Johansson J, et al. Criterion validity of two physical activity and one sedentary time questionnaire against accelerometry in a large cohort of adults and older adults. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2020;6:e000661. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000661Daily calorie target: based on the Body Weight Planner model by Hall K, Sacks G, Chandramohan D et al. Quantification of the effect of energy imbalance on bodyweight. The Lancet, 378, 826-837. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60812-XPhysical activity energy expenditure: based on the Adult Compendium of Physical Activities. https://pacompendium.com/adult-compendium/Exercise duration: based on physical activity guidance from the World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/initiatives/behealthy/physical-activity) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/measuring/index.html).Default macronutrient distribution: based on scientific nutrition references (Trumbo P, Schlicker S, Yates A ...Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein and Amino AcidsJournal of the American Dietetic Association, 102, 1621-1630 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(02)90346-9) and Indonesian food-labelling guidance (https://www.pom.go.id/storage/katabpom-dokumen/v9FP7dmJvqM6DpPIQrSRpKnlQOv2lmUeUMPoDoZf.pdf).
Are the calorie targets and activity estimates exact?
No. Calorie targets, activity energy expenditure, and progress estimates are calculated using recognised formulas and references, but they remain estimates. Individual results may vary depending on metabolism, adherence, health condition, and lifestyle.
Who should I contact if I need help?
If you need help or experience any issue with the app, please contact the DietducateX team at fsmi@leeds.ac.uk.