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Diet-Related Mobile Apps to Promote Healthy Eating and Proper Nutrition: A Content Analysis and Quality Assessment

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  • Jihye Choi

    (Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA)

  • Chongwook Chung

    (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Korea)

  • Hyekyung Woo

    (Department of Health Administration, Kongju National University, Chungnam 32588, Korea)

Abstract

Dietary mobile applications (apps) continue to hold promise for facilitating a healthy diet and managing nutrition. However, few studies have objectively evaluated the content and quality of such apps in Korea. The present study assessed the content and quality of dietary mobile apps using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). We selected 29 dietary apps based on keywords and eligibility criteria for inclusion in the analyses. We conducted regression analyses to examine the association between app content and MARS scores. Most of the apps featured a tracking tool, while few featured rewards or follow-up management. Our quality assessment revealed that the top-rated apps have distinct levels of quality in terms of MARS scores. The regression analyses showed that the ways in which the apps provide information and motivate the users are statistically significant predictors of app quality. Our findings may facilitate the selection of dietary apps in Korea and provide guidelines for app developers regarding potential improvements in terms of content and quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Jihye Choi & Chongwook Chung & Hyekyung Woo, 2021. "Diet-Related Mobile Apps to Promote Healthy Eating and Proper Nutrition: A Content Analysis and Quality Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-10, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3496-:d:525471
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yannik Terhorst & Paula Philippi & Lasse B Sander & Dana Schultchen & Sarah Paganini & Marco Bardus & Karla Santo & Johannes Knitza & Gustavo C Machado & Stephanie Schoeppe & Natalie Bauereiß & Alexan, 2020. "Validation of the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS)," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-14, November.
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