scholarly journals Mobile Applications for the Promotion and Support of Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Habits: A Systematic Review, Extraction of Features and Taxonomy Proposal

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Vanessa Villasana ◽  
Ivan Miguel Pires ◽  
Juliana Sá ◽  
Nuno M. Garcia ◽  
Eftim Zdravevski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Anthropometric Parameters ◽  
Healthy Nutrition ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Diet Diary ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Google Play

Background: Mobile applications can be used for the monitoring of lifestyles and physical activity. It can be installed in commodity mobile devices, which are currently used by different types of people in their daily activities worlwide . Objective: This paper reviews and categorizes the mobile applications related to diet, nutrition, health, physical activity and education, showing the analysis of 73 mobile applications available on Google Play Store with the extraction of the different features. Methods: The mobile applications were analyzed in relation to each proposed category and their features, starting with the definition of the search keywords used in the Google Play Store. Each mobile application was installed on a smartphone, and validated whether it was researched in scientific studies. Finally, all mobile applications and features were categorized. Results: These mobile applications were clustered into four groups, including diet and nutrition, health, physical activity and education. The features of mobile applications were also categorized into six groups, including diet, anthropometric parameters, social, physical activity, medical parameters and vital parameters. The most available features of the mobile applications are weight, height, age, gender, goals, calories needed calculation, diet diary, food database with calories, calories burned and calorie intake. Conclusion: With this review, it was concluded that most mobile applications available in the market are related to diet, and they are important for different types of people. A promising idea for future work is to evaluate the acceptance by young people of such mobile applications.

scholarly journals Mobile Applications for the Promotion and Support of Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Habits: A Systematic Review, Extraction of Features and Taxonomy Proposal

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-71
Author(s):  
María Vanessa Villasana ◽  
Ivan Miguel Pires ◽  
Juliana Sá ◽  
Nuno M. Garcia ◽  
Eftim Zdravevski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Anthropometric Parameters ◽  
Healthy Nutrition ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Diet Diary ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Google Play

Background: Mobile applications can be used for the monitoring of lifestyles and physical activity. It can be installed in commodity mobile devices, which are currently used by different types of people in their daily activities worlwide . Objective: This paper reviews and categorizes the mobile applications related to diet, nutrition, health, physical activity and education, showing the analysis of 73 mobile applications available on Google Play Store with the extraction of the different features. Methods: The mobile applications were analyzed in relation to each proposed category and their features, starting with the definition of the search keywords used in the Google Play Store. Each mobile application was installed on a smartphone, and validated whether it was researched in scientific studies. Finally, all mobile applications and features were categorized. Results: These mobile applications were clustered into four groups, including diet and nutrition, health, physical activity and education. The features of mobile applications were also categorized into six groups, including diet, anthropometric parameters, social, physical activity, medical parameters and vital parameters. The most available features of the mobile applications are weight, height, age, gender, goals, calories needed calculation, diet diary, food database with calories, calories burned and calorie intake. Conclusion: With this review, it was concluded that most mobile applications available in the market are related to diet, and they are important for different types of people. A promising idea for future work is to evaluate the acceptance by young people of such mobile applications.

scholarly journals Promotion of Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Lifestyles for Teenagers: A Systematic Literature Review of The Current Methodologies

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Vanessa Villasana ◽  
Ivan Miguel Pires ◽  
Juliana Sá ◽  
Nuno M. Garcia ◽  
Eftim Zdravevski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Paper Diary ◽  
Healthy Nutrition ◽  
Diet Diary ◽  
Active Lifestyles ◽  
The Common ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽  
Exercise Diary

Amid obesity problems in the young population and apparent trends of spending a significant amount of time in a stationary position, promoting healthy nutrition and physical activities to teenagers is becoming increasingly important. It can rely on different methodologies, including a paper diary and mobile applications. However, the widespread use of mobile applications by teenagers suggests that they could be a more suitable tool for this purpose. This paper reviews the methodologies for promoting physical activities to healthy teenagers explored in different studies, excluding the analysis of different diseases. We found only nine studies working with teenagers and mobile applications to promote active lifestyles, including the focus on nutrition and physical activity. Studies report using different techniques to captivate the teenagers, including questionnaires and gamification techniques. We identified the common features used in different studies, which are: paper diary, diet diary, exercise diary, notifications, diet plan, physical activity registration, gamification, smoking cessation, pictures, game, and SMS, among others.

scholarly journals A Multidimensional Analysis of Released COVID-19 Location-Based Mobile Applications

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 268
Author(s):  
Theodoros Oikonomidis ◽  
Konstantinos Fouskas ◽  
Maro Vlachopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Legal Aspects ◽  
Multidimensional Analysis ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Geospatial Information ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Google Play ◽  
Proximity Sensing

The spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has triggered a series of responses worldwide ranging from traveling restrictions and shelter-in-place orders to lockdowns, contact tracing, social distancing, and other mitigation measures. To assist with contact tracing and ensure the safety of citizens, a significant number of mobile applications has been developed, utilizing geospatial information and proximity sensing. We perform a thorough research on seven digital databases (Appbrain, e-Health Hub, GDPRhub, “fs0c131y”, News Sites, Appstore, and Google Play), identifying a total of 160 apps regarding COVID-19 related to our research questions. The aim of this research is to identify the main categories of apps and analyze their functions based on a proposed framework of by mapping aspects that affect their functionalities regarding Services, Technology, Societal & Business, and Legal aspects. As the world comes to the new normal, the utilization of these apps might become more essential for more mobile users and developers. The new encryption protocols that are established are also in favor of this argument. Future work can utilize our framework to further examine the development, design, and adoption of such mobile applications.

scholarly journals P102 Identifying physical activity mobile applications for people with rheumatoid arthritis: a content analysis and quality appraisal

Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Bearne ◽  
Mandeep Sekhon ◽  
Rebecca Grainger ◽  
Anthony La ◽  
Mehrdad Shamali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Exercise Prescription ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Physical Activity And Exercise ◽  
Google Play

Abstract Background Physical activity and exercise (PA) are recommended for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), although adherence to PA tends to be low. Accessible, tailored interventions are needed to help people with RA change their behaviour to achieve public health PA recommendations and improve health outcomes. Use of smartphones and mobile applications (apps) is increasing and apps may assist people to reach PA recommendations. However, the availability, quality and content of evidence-based PA apps for people with RA is unknown. This study assessed the features, content and quality of apps targeting PA for adults with RA by i) systematically identifying apps ii) summarising their features and content iii) comparing their content to physical activity and exercise guidelines and iv) rating app quality. Methods A systematic search of the UK Apple AppStore and Google Play store was conducted to identify apps designed to facilitate PA in adults with RA between 19th-20th June 2019. Apps were excluded if they were i) not in English ii) for use by clinicians only or ii) solely focused on advertising a clinic/product. No fee restrictions were applied. Android and iOS apps were downloaded to smartphones, features/functionality described, content coded using Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) and behaviour change technique taxonomy V1 (BCTTv1) and apps rated using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS range 0-5) by two independent reviewers. App features were compared with public health PA guidelines (150 minutes moderate PA/week or equivalent plus twice weekly resistance exercise) and American College of Sports Medicine recommendations for exercise prescription. Results Initially, 14,047 apps were identified. Following de-duplication, 2,737 apps were screened for eligibly and six apps were downloaded (two UK Apple AppStore, four Google Play store), yielding four unique apps. Only one app provided PA recommendations broadly aligned with public health PA guidelines and no apps aligned to ACSM exercise prescription guidelines or offered information on tailoring of PA to disease symptoms or health status. Apps included between 4-13 behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and three BCTs were common to all apps (demonstration of behaviour, instructions on how to perform behaviour, information about health consequences). Overall, MARS scores ranged between 2.25-4.17. Conclusion There is a lack of high-quality mobile apps which can be tailored to support PA for people with RA. Whilst all included apps incorporated some BCTs previously identified as effective for PA promotion, only one, high quality app provided PA recommendations which broadly aligned with public health PA guidelines but offered limited options for tailoring PA or exercise. Collaboration between adults with RA, clinicians, and app developers is needed to produce evidence informed apps, with embedded BCTs, which can be tailored to support people with RA achieve PA recommendations. Disclosures L. Bearne None. M. Sekhon None. R. Grainger None. A. La None. M. Shamali None. A. Amirova None. E. Godfrey None. C. White None.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Nutrition Habits of Adolescents in the Aspect of Gender and Physical Activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (81) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daiva Vizbaraitė ◽  
Rasa Jankauskienė ◽  
Aušra Griciūtė ◽  
Kristina Visagurskienė ◽  
Simona Pajaujienė
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Eating Patterns ◽  
Healthy Nutrition ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Activity Groups ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Nutrition Habits ◽  
Lower Physical Activity ◽  
Selection Of

Research background and hypothesis. Nutrition habits develop with the growth of an individual. During adolescence proper nutrition habits and physical activity are the most important factors infl uencing health. The quality of life is affected by the peculiarities of behavior and lifestyle in adolescence. The aim of our study was to determine nutrition habits of adolescents, and then, to make a comparison of eating patterns by gender and the groups of adolescents in different physical activity groups. Research methods. The study comprised the ninth form students from 16 Kaunas schools (4 gymnasiums, 10 secondary and 2 main schools). The strategy was based on the evaluation of proportions of the different types of schools in Kaunas. The study applied questionnaire survey. Research results. The analysis revealed that 28.5% of middle-school age students did not have breakfast, there were more girls than boys among them. Boys and students with lower physical activity more frequently had hot meals. Adolescents most commonly had meals four times per day without following nutrition regimen. Discussion and conclusions. Boys more frequently had breakfast, however, they chose buns, potato chips, and used more fried food for snacks; the same eating patterns were followed by students with lower physical activity. Girls were more likely to have fruit, green vegetables. In most cases, the selection of meals depended on the individual taste; boys more frequently paid attention to prices and nutrition values. Usually adolescents acquired information about proper nutrition from their parents and the internet; girls – more frequently from magazines and the internet.Keywords: adolescents’ knowledge on healthy nutrition, nutrition habits, physical activity.

Effects of different types and frequencies of physical activity on the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 841-849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junhyun Kwon ◽  
Woorim Kim ◽  
Sang Ah Lee ◽  
Dongwoo Choi ◽  
Eun-Cheol Park
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Model Assessment ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Homeostatic Model Assessment ◽  
Homeostatic Model ◽  
Daily Calorie Intake

This study analyzed the type and frequency of physical activity that most effectively reduces the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) among adults (≥19 years) in Asia. We used national representative data from 1645 men and 2272 women who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2015 were included in the analysis. The effects of different types and frequencies of physical activity on HOMA2-IR were investigated using a multiple regression analysis. Compared with no activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) ≥5 times per week (β: −0.214, p≤0.0198) and walking and MVPA ≥5 times per week (β: −0.183, p≤0.0049) were negatively associated with HOMA2-IR. In the subgroup analysis, the strongest effect was observed among overweight men. Additionally, walking plus MVPA ≥5 times per week had the strongest effect on men with a higher-than-recommended daily calorie intake (β: −0.350, p≤0.0030). Therefore, in conclusion, the appropriate type and frequency of physical activity can help reduce HOMA2-IR in South Korean men, especially those who are overweight and/or have a higher-than-recommended daily calorie intake.

Hypnotherapy for weight loss smartphone applications; a narrative review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lua Pei Lin ◽  
Nurul Afiedia Roslim ◽  
Aryati Ahmad ◽  
Mardiana Mansor ◽  
Myat Moe Thwe Aung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Smartphone Applications ◽  
Audio Track ◽  
Google Play ◽  
Current Popularity ◽  
Research Grant

BACKGROUND Despite the current popularity and potential usage of mobile applications in promoting dietary behavior, hypnotherapy for weight loss applications are scarcely available and the credibility of information is of concern. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this review are to 1) provide up-to-date existing hypnotherapy apps focusing on weight reduction and 2) evaluate the features and information provided in the mobile apps. METHODS Google Play and Apple’s iTunes stores were searched for available applications related to the hypnotherapy targeting weight loss from 20 August 2020 to 20 September 2020. Only free, English apps were included. Apps in which the hypnotherapy was not utilized for weight loss or which contain no elements of hypnotherapy were not included. RESULTS Of 291 identified apps, 22 met the requirements for inclusion and were further reviewed. Fourteen of the apps (63.6%) focused on reducing calorie intake and limiting intake of fattening and sugary foods through hypnotic suggestions. Most apps delivered hypnotherapy via audio track (77.3%) and 68% enabled the session to be customized. More than 40% of apps developers claimed to have used a licensed hypnotherapist and 25% of apps contained disclaimers in the descriptions. Additionally, 31.8% of the classified apps earned high ratings from users (between 4 and 5 stars). CONCLUSIONS Overall findings suggest that weight-loss hypnotherapy applications may be useful as an approach to assist conventional weight management strategies. However, several issues regarding the contents and credibility should be highlighted in order to improve the quality and substantiate the effectiveness of weight-loss hypnotherapy apps in future. CLINICALTRIAL MENTOR-MENTEE RESEARCH GRANT (UNISZA/2018/011/R0046-R001)

A Strategy for Design of Marine Pollution Monitoring Studies

1986 ◽  
Vol 18 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 15-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Segar ◽  
E. Stamman
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Pollution Monitoring ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Management Information ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Management Context ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Scientific Testing

Most historical marine pollution monitoring has proven useless in a management context. A strategy for development of effective marine pollution monitoring programs is outlined. This strategy is based on the following steps: 1) systematic evaluation of the management information needs, 2) identification of the hypothetical impacts associated with those management concerns, and 3) investigation of the feasibility of monitoring those effects such that the existence, or absence, of a specified level of effects can be established in a statistically-valid manner. There are two fundamentally different types of monitoring program: site-specific and regional. These two types of program differ markedly in scope and approach when designed through application of this strategy. The strategy requires development of null hypotheses which address management concerns and which are amenable to scientific testing. In order for the program to be successful, the null hypotheses selected for inclusion in a marine pollution monitoring program must address levels of effect which are predefined to be environmentally significant. The definition of environmentally significant effect levels is a difficult process which must be primarily the responsibility of the managerial community.

Mobile Applications for Health Management of Older Adults: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Asilah Ahmad ◽  
Shahrul Azman Mohd Noah ◽  
Arimi Fitri Mat Ludin ◽  
Suzana Shahar ◽  
Noorlaili Mohd Tohit
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Personalized Feedback ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
App Store ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Currently, the use of smartphones to deliver health-related content has experienced a rapid growth, with more than 165,000 mobile health (mHealth) applications currently available in the digital marketplace such as iOS store and Google Play. Among these, there are several mobile applications (mobile apps) that offer tools for disease prevention and management among older generations. These mobile apps could potentially promote health behaviors which will reduce or delay the onset of disease. However, no review to date that has focused on the app marketplace specific for older adults and little is known regarding its evidence-based quality towards the health of older adults. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to characterize and critically appraise the content and functionality of mobile apps that focuses on health management and/or healthy lifestyle among older adults. METHODS An electronic search was conducted between May 2019 to December 2019 of the official app store for two major smartphone operating systems: iPhone operating system (iTunes App Store) and Android (Google Play Store). Stores were searched separately using predetermined search terms. Two authors screened apps based on information provided in the app description. Metadata from all included apps were abstracted into a standard assessment criteria form. Evidenced based strategies and health care expert involvement of included apps was assessed. Evidenced based strategies included: self-monitoring, goal setting, physical activity support, healthy eating support, weight and/or health assessment, personalized feedback, motivational strategies, cognitive training and social support. Two authors verified the data with reference to the apps and downloaded app themselves. RESULTS A total of 16 apps met the inclusion criteria. Six out of 16 (37.5%) apps were designed exclusively for the iOS platform while ten out of 16 (62.5%) were designed for Android platform exclusively. Physical activity component was the most common feature offered in all the apps (9/16, 56.3%) and followed by cognitive training (8/16, 50.0%). Diet/nutrition (0/16, 0%) feature, however, was not offered on all reviewed mobile apps. Of reviewed apps, 56.3% (9/16) provide education, 37.5% (6/16) provide self-monitoring features, 18.8% (3/16) provide goal setting features, 18.5% (3/16) provide personalized feedback, 6.3% (1/16) provide social support and none of the reviewed apps offers heart rate monitoring and reminder features to the users. CONCLUSIONS All reviewed mobile apps for older adults in managing health did not focused on diet/nutrition component, lack of functional components and lack of health care professional involvement in their development process. There is also a need to carry out scientific testing prior to the development of the app to ensure cost effective and its health benefits to older adults. Collaborative efforts between developers, researchers, health professionals and patients are needed in developing evidence-based, high quality mobile apps in managing health prior they are made available in the app store.

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