TY  - JOUR
AU  - Yau, Kiana W
AU  - Tang, Tricia S
AU  - Görges, Matthias
AU  - Pinkney, Susan
AU  - Kim, Annie D
AU  - Kalia, Angela
AU  - Amed, Shazhan
PY  - 2022
DA  - 2022/3/28
TI  - Effectiveness of Mobile Apps in Promoting Healthy Behavior Changes and Preventing Obesity in Children: Systematic Review
JO  - JMIR Pediatr Parent
SP  - e34967
VL  - 5
IS  - 1
KW  - childhood obesity
KW  - mobile health
KW  - health behaviors
KW  - prevention
KW  - study design
KW  - systematic review
KW  - mobile phone
AB  - 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. 
SN  - 2561-6722
UR  - https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2022/1/e34967
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/34967
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35343908
DO  - 10.2196/34967
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/34967
ER  -