The Promotion of Eating Behaviour Change through Digital Interventions.

Yang Chen,Ioannis Mavridis,Agnès Giboreau,Federico J A Perez-Cueto,Heather Hartwell

doi:10.3390/ijerph17207488

Abstract

Diet-related chronic disease is a global health epidemic giving rise to a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. With the rise of the digital revolution, there has been increased interest in using digital technology for eating behavioural change as a mean of diet-related chronic disease prevention. However, evidence on digital dietary behaviour change is relatively scarce. To address this problem, this review considers the digital interventions currently being used in dietary behaviour change studies. A literature search was conducted in databases like PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Medline, and PsycInfo. Among 119 articles screened, 15 were selected for the study as they met all the inclusion criteria according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) search strategy. Four primary digital intervention methods were noted: use of personal digital assistants, use of the internet as an educational tool, use of video games and use of mobile phone applications. The efficiency of all the interventions increased when coupled with tailored feedback and counselling. It was established that the scalable and sustainable properties of digital interventions have the potential to bring about adequate changes in the eating behaviour of individuals. Further research should concentrate on the appropriate personalisation of the interventions, according to the requirements of the individuals, and proper integration of behaviour change techniques to motivate long-term adherence.

Highlights

Eating behaviour is one health risk behaviour that can have a major effect on health and vitality.Poor nutrition may lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, hypertension, osteoporosis, cancer, and even dental caries [1].An ideal diet consists of whole grains, various fruits and vegetables, protein, oils, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products
Information sources were obtained from a literature search of the electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, MedLine, and Cochrane Library using the search terms ‘digital interventions’, ‘smartphone apps’, ‘diet’, ‘digital’, ‘behaviour’, and ‘dietary behaviour changes’ with a search filter restricted to English
Studies in which changes in dietary behaviour were responsible for weight loss in the experimental groups were preferred over studies in which weight loss was attributed to regular exercise or other behaviour changes

Summary

Introduction

Eating behaviour is one health risk behaviour that can have a major effect on health and vitality.Poor nutrition may lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, hypertension, osteoporosis, cancer, and even dental caries [1].An ideal diet consists of whole grains, various fruits and vegetables, protein, oils, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Eating behaviour is one health risk behaviour that can have a major effect on health and vitality. Poor nutrition may lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, hypertension, osteoporosis, cancer, and even dental caries [1]. An ideal diet consists of whole grains, various fruits and vegetables, protein, oils, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Ideal eating behaviours include reducing the sodium content in food and avoiding solid fats, which are the primary sources of trans fatty acids and saturated fatty acids [2]. An unhealthy diet may result in caloric intake in excess of caloric expenditure, which may result in obesity. Lack of proper nutrition may lead to decreased cognitive performance and other developmental problems [3].

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