Mobile- and Web-Based Interventions for Promoting Healthy Diets, Preventing Obesity, and Improving Health Behaviors in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Background: Childhood and adolescent obesity is a growing global health issue linked to noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Digital health technologies, including mobile apps and web-based programs, offer scalable tools to improve health behaviors, but their effectiveness in young populations remains unclear.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile and web-based digital interventions in promoting healthy diets, reducing obesity risk, increasing physical activity, and improving nutrition-related knowledge and attitudes among children and adolescents.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, along with hand-searching reference lists of key systematic reviews. The search encompassed records published up to September 30, 2024. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials targeting dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, or nutrition-related attitudes and knowledge among participants aged ≤18 years. Screening, full-text eligibility assessment, and data extraction were done partly in duplicate (20%; κ=0.86 for title or abstract screening, κ=0.71 for full-text eligibility assessment, and κ=0.78 data extraction). Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool (κ=0.71 for interrater reliability of 20% duplicate evaluation). Data were synthesized narratively.

Results: From 300 records screened, a total of 37 articles (34 studies) were included. Interventions included games, (in 21/34 studies, 62%), mobile apps, web-based programs, and other digital tools. Among the 34 included studies, 23 (68%) studies reported positive outcomes for at least 1 measured variable. Fruit intake improved in 17 of 34 studies (50%) assessing fruit intake, while 7 of 34 studies (21%) targeting sugar-sweetened beverage consumption showed reductions. Improvements in nutrition knowledge were reported in 23 of 34 (68%) studies, but changes in anthropometric measures and physical activity outcomes showed no effect. Risk of bias was low for random sequence generation but high or unclear in other domains for many studies.

Conclusions: Mobile- and web-based interventions, particularly game-based tools, show promise for promoting healthy dietary behaviors and increasing nutrition knowledge in children and adolescents. However, the evidence for long-term sustainability and impact on anthropometric and physical activity outcomes remains limited. Future research should focus on understanding which digital features drive effectiveness, extending follow-up periods, and exploring the role of family involvement in interventions.

Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD42023423512; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=423512.

Keywords: adolescent health; childhood obesity prevention; dietary behavior; digital health; eHealth; gamified intervention; mHealth; mobile apps; nutrition education; nutrition literacy; physical activity promotion; randomized controlled trial; school health; serious games; web-based intervention.

Figure 1

Study selection following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) criteria detailing the study selection process. RCT: randomized controlled trial.