%0 Journal Article
%@ 2561-6722
%I JMIR Publications
%V 5
%N 1
%P e34967
%T Effectiveness of Mobile Apps in Promoting Healthy Behavior Changes and Preventing Obesity in Children: Systematic Review
%A Yau,Kiana W
%A Tang,Tricia S
%A Görges,Matthias
%A Pinkney,Susan
%A Kim,Annie D
%A Kalia,Angela
%A Amed,Shazhan
%+ Research Institute, BC Children's Hospital, A4-196, 950 West 28 Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada, 1 604 875 3113, SAmed@cw.bc.ca
%K childhood obesity
%K mobile health
%K health behaviors
%K prevention
%K study design
%K systematic review
%K mobile phone
%D 2022
%7 28.3.2022
%9 Review
%J JMIR Pediatr Parent
%G English
%X Background: Mobile apps have been increasingly incorporated into healthy behavior promotion interventions targeting childhood obesity. However, their effectiveness remains unclear. Objective: This paper aims to conduct a systematic review examining the effectiveness of mobile apps aimed at preventing childhood obesity by promoting health behavior changes in diet, physical activity, or sedentary behavior in children aged 8 to 12 years. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and ERIC were systematically searched for peer-reviewed primary studies from January 2008 to July 2021, which included children aged 8 to 12 years; involved mobile app use; and targeted at least one obesity-related factor, including diet, physical activity, or sedentary behavior. Data extraction and risk of bias assessments were conducted by 2 authors. Results: Of the 13 studies identified, most used a quasi-experimental design (n=8, 62%). Significant improvements in physical activity (4/8, 50% studies), dietary outcomes (5/6, 83% studies), and BMI (2/6, 33% studies) were reported. All 6 multicomponent interventions and 57% (4/7) of standalone interventions reported significant outcomes in ≥1 behavioral change outcome measured (anthropometric, physical activity, dietary, and screen time outcomes). Gamification, behavioral monitoring, and goal setting were common features of the mobile apps used in these studies. Conclusions: Apps for health behavior promotion interventions have the potential to increase the adoption of healthy behaviors among children; however, their effectiveness in improving anthropometric measures remains unclear. Further investigation of studies that use more rigorous study designs, as well as mobile apps as a standalone intervention, is needed. 
%M 35343908
%R 10.2196/34967
%U https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2022/1/e34967
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/34967
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35343908