Comprehensive Analysis of Dieting Apps: Effectiveness, Design, and Frequency Usage

Abstract

Dieting mobile health (mHealth) apps are becoming more common in response to the prevalence of obesity. Obesity and overweight have become more widespread in recent years in correspondence to unbalanced diets, lack of exercise, and unhealthy eating habits, all of which can contribute to an increased chance of developing chronic diseases. However, despite the rising numbers of obesity and overweight cases, diet consultations costs have not decreased; instead, they have increased. Therefore, due to the affordability and accessibility issues of healthcare services, dieting apps have gained popularity as an alternative option. Dieting apps cost less than traditional healthcare, more convenient, easily understandable, and generally provides similar feedback to that of a nutritionist, making them more accessible to many individuals. This systematic review evaluates dieting apps from three aspects: effectiveness, design, and frequency of usage. This paper analyzes 11 studies, revealing that dieting apps are successful in certain aspects but lacked quality in other cases, suggesting that there is room for improvement. The effectiveness of dieting apps was found to be mediocre, with some studies indicating neutral or partial success in weight control or reduction. Users generally liked the design aesthetics, but felt that feedback could be more personalized, while the frequency of usage was mainly determined by the app's popularity.