Diet-related mHealth Apps Content Analysis

Description

This quantitative content analysis study evaluated the content, features, and quality of commercial diet apps in Asian marketplaces. Inclusion criteria encompassed both free and paid English-language apps for general dietary information. Apps that were disease-specific or redundant were excluded. App descriptions were extracted and evaluated by two independent research dietitians using a 100-point rubric based on predefined variables (e.g., language options, credibility, food databases, valuable features, health-behavior theory and technical quality). Good inter-rater reliability was achieved (kappa = 0.726; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.763).

Steps to reproduce

This study employed quantitative content analysis to review and summarize the content of commercial diet apps available on two leading mobile platforms in the Asian marketplace: Google Android (downloaded from the Google Play Store) and Apple iOS (downloaded from the Apple App Store). General information was extracted for descriptive purposes, while the content, features, and quality of eligible apps were assessed and quantified using a predefined scoring system (Lim et al., 2020). All diet apps within the Health & Fitness category were screened. To ensure the comprehensiveness of the app list during sampling, the research dietitians independently conducted searches on both platforms simultaneously. The app initially identified were subjected to screening using predetermined selection criteria. Inclusion criteria were those free and paid apps, available in English, meant for user’s self management and providing dietary information. Whereas, apps that exclusively focused on physical activity or fitness (without diet components), restaurant bookings, take-away orders, food sales, or intended for professional use by doctors, nurses, or nutritionists were excluded. In addition, apps centered on disease management or those that couldn't be installed were also excluded. Subsequently, the identified app lists were merged and redundancy apps were eliminated. Any discrepancies in screening results were discussed and resolved between the research dietitians, resulting in a final list of diet apps for subsequent evaluation.

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