Characteristics of Smartphone Applications for Nutrition Improvement in Community Settings: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Smartphone applications are increasingly being used to support nutrition improvement in community settings. However, there is a scarcity of practical literature to support researchers and practitioners in choosing or developing health applications. This work maps the features, key content, theoretical approaches, and methods of consumer testing of applications intended for nutrition improvement in community settings. A systematic, scoping review methodology was used to map published, peer-reviewed literature reporting on applications with a specific nutrition-improvement focus intended for use in the community setting. After screening, articles were grouped into 4 categories: dietary selfmonitoring trials, nutrition improvement trials, application description articles, and qualitative application development studies. For mapping, studies were also grouped into categories based on the target population and aim of the application or program. Of the 4818 titles identified from the database search, 64 articles were included. The broad categories of features found to be included in applications generally corresponded to different behavior change support strategies common to many classic behavioral change models. Key content of applications generally focused on food composition, with tailored feedback most commonly used to deliver educational content. Consumer testing before application deployment was reported in just over half of the studies. Collaboration between practitioners and application developers promotes an appropriate balance of evidence-based content and functionality. This work provides a unique resource for program development teams and practitioners seeking to use an application for nutrition improvement in community settings. Adv Nutr 2017;8:308-22.

A Smartphone App to Reduce Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Among Young Adults in Australian Remote Indigenous Communities: Design, Formative Evaluation and User-Testing

“…This suggests that it would be useful to use the Transtheoretical Model alongside TPB to structure app content and features to cater for users at all stages of the behavior change cycle, particularly features that draw participants in, despite a lack of intention to change target behaviors. One option to engage this group of users is the inclusion of games with an inherent educational element, with games commonly being used in apps targeted toward low socioeconomic status and adolescent populations to enhance engagement [ 2 , 51 , 52 ]. During all stages of this research, it was demonstrated that even simple quiz games were enjoyed, consistent with findings from others [ 53 - 55 ], and in this, participant group games were the second most common reason for phone use.…”

“…Prior to conducting this study, a scoping review [ 2 ] was performed to identify best practice methods for app development and end-user testing. The scoping review identified numerous app features that were successfully used to promote app engagement in adolescents, young adults and disadvantaged communities that were applicable to this study.…”

“…An early pilot app was developed using information from both the initial scoping review [ 2 ] and preliminary analyses of the data collected in phase 1 (please see images supplied in Multimedia Appendix 1 ). Features and content of the early pilot app relate to the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB): attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…Effective strategies are needed to facilitate long-term weight control and improve health in Indigenous Australians living in remote communities, particularly in the young adult population who are still forming lifelong habits and often shaping those of their children. Smartphone apps are rapidly emerging as a tool to assist delivery and uptake of behavior change programs [ 1 , 2 ], with emerging evidence of modest efficacy in improving health-related behaviors in adolescent and young adult populations [ 3 , 4 ]. Smartphones and apps are increasingly being used by young Indigenous adults and therefore represent a promising method to engage them in programs seeking to improve nutritional intake [ 5 ].…”

‘Eu Tenho Que Me Reeducar’: Discursos Normativos E Práticas Alimentares Relacionadas À Perda De Peso Em Mulheres De Camadas Populares

“…Num contexto de reaprendizagem, as novas tecnologias são incorporadas no dia a dia como "importantes ferramentas" no processo de controle de si, instrumentalizadas para fomentar a promoção da "boa saúde". 39 A proposta de "educar de novo" ou "reeducar" como a abertura de um caminho para uma nova ordem alimentar está, em grande medida, fadada ao insucesso ao não romper com um discurso normativo e impositivo, como já apontado anteriormente. É preciso compreender que além da necessidade biológica inerente à manutenção da vida, "comemos" de acordo com uma organização social e de acordo com uma determinada forma de produzir e distribuir alimentos, "comemos" de acordo com nossos grupos e classes de pertencimento.…”