The Promotion of Eating Behaviour Change through Digital Interventions

Yang Chen, Federico J. A. Perez-Cueto, Agnès Giboreau, Ioannis Mavridis and Heather Hartwell
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Yang Chen: Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Federiksberg C, Denmark
Federico J. A. Perez-Cueto: Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Federiksberg C, Denmark
Agnès Giboreau: Centre for Food and Hospitality Research, Institute Paul Bocuse, BP25, 69131 Ecully, France
Ioannis Mavridis: Department of Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia str., 54006 Thessaloniki, Greece
Heather Hartwell: Faculty of Management, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole BH12 5BB, UK

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-19

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.

Keywords: digital interventions; behaviour change; eating behaviour; digital health; health promotion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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