Abstract
A cost-effective and interactive way of promoting healthy nutrition behaviors among adolescents is using information and communication technologies (ICTs). We systematically reviewed studies to identify technologies and their main characteristics used for nutritional interventions for adolescents, as well as to evaluate their quality and effectiveness. Our full protocol is available on the PROSPERO website (#CRD42016035882). A search was conducted across five databases for articles describing nutritional interventions that used ICTs designed mainly for healthy adolescents. Randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental and observational studies, and full and original papers, all of them published from 2005 to 2015, were included. Study quality was assessed by the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool. Our search yielded 559 titles and abstracts. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Participants were recruited mostly from schools. Study follow-up ranged from two weeks to two years. Four interventions were based on the Social Cognitive Theory. Interventional strategies included computer games, programs, text messages, and interactive CD-ROMs. Nine studies used computer-mediated ICTs. Five studies focused on multiple behaviors simultaneously. Participants were exposed to interventions only once, daily, weekly, or according to a pre-determined number of lessons. Five studies had significant outcomes. Our quality assessment revealed three studies to be weak due to non-representativeness of their samples and usage of non-validated questionnaires. Besides the heterogeneity and poor quality of the analyzed studies, it can be suggested that long-term interventions for adolescents that make use of frequent exposure to technological resources, and that have a theoretical component aimed at a single health behavior change, tend to be more successful.
Highlights
Adolescence is considered a nutritional risk period marked by deep psychological, physiological, and social changes
We systematically reviewed eleven studies, all of which used information and communication technologies (ICTs)-based interventions designed mainly for adolescents
The main objective of this review is to examine the trends in the ICTs used in interventions for teens in the last 10 years, and the description of their effectiveness is only a consequence, not our focus
Summary
Adolescence is considered a nutritional risk period marked by deep psychological, physiological, and social changes. In this age group, nutritional literature shows a prevalence of inadequate dietetic habits, such as high intake of processed or sugary foods, long gaps between. Nutritional interventions for adolescents using technologies meals, and low consumption of fruits and vegetables. The long-term effects of these eating patterns can result in overweight, as well as micronutrient deficiencies and chronic diseases that if left untreated can be dragged into adulthood [1]. Nutrition interventions are a cost-effective way to promote health behaviors and reduce obesity and chronic diseases among teens [1]. Use of the internet and technological resources is growing, especially among adolescents. 88% and 87% mentioned having daily access to a mobile phone or to a desktop, laptop or computer, respectively [2]
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