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Review
. 2023 Jul;26(7):1368-1379.
doi: 10.1017/S1368980023000526. Epub 2023 Mar 13.

A systematic appraisal of the information, engagement, aesthetic and functional quality of nutrition-related smartphone apps for children and adolescents

Lucine Francis  1   2 , Erin M Spaulding  2   3 , India Bloom  2 , Alisha Patel  2 , Nancy Perrin  2
Affiliations
Review

A systematic appraisal of the information, engagement, aesthetic and functional quality of nutrition-related smartphone apps for children and adolescents

Lucine Francis et al. Public Health Nutr. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: Nutrition-related smartphone applications (apps) could improve children's nutrition knowledge and skills. However, little is known about the quality of nutrition-related apps for children. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the quality of nutrition-related smartphone apps designed for children ages 4-17.

Design: This systematic appraisal is guided by the Protocol for App Store Systematic Reviews.

Setting: Using Google's Advanced Search, we identified 1814 apps/1184 additional apps in an updated search on iOS, of which twenty-four were eligible. The apps' objective and subjective quality were evaluated using the twenty-three-item, five-point Mobile App Rating Scale. The objective quality scale consists of four subscales: engagement, functionality, aesthetics and information.

Results: Most of the apps (75 %) focussed solely on promoting nutrition skills, such as making food dishes, rather than nutrition knowledge. Of the twenty-four apps, 83 % targeted children 4-8 years old. The app objective quality mean score was 3·60 ± 0·41. The subscale mean scores were 3·20 ± 0·41 for engagement, 4·24 ± 0·47 for functionality, 4·03 ± 0·51 for aesthetics and 2·94 ± 0·62 for information. The app subjective quality mean score was 2·10 ± 0·90.

Conclusions: More robust approaches to app development leveraging co-design approaches, including involving a multidisciplinary team of experts to provide evidence-based nutrition information, are warranted.

Keywords: Nutrition Apps; children; mobile App Rating; mobile applications; quality; smartphone.

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Conflict of interest statement

LF has received funding from the Nutrition & Obesity Policy Research Evaluation Network (NOPREN) and the Johns Hopkins Alliance for a Healthier Future to examine digital technology use in the childcare setting and develop an app that includes social-emotional and nutrition games for children. EMS serves as a paid consultant to Corrie Health. IB, AP and NP report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Protocol for App Store Systematic Reviews Diagram Depicting the Flow of Apps
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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