A systematic appraisal of the information, engagement, aesthetic and functional quality of nutrition-related smartphone apps for children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: Nutrition-related smartphone applications (apps) could improve children’s nutrition knowledge and skills. However, little is known about the quality of nutrition-related apps for children. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the quality of nutrition-related smartphone apps designed for children ages 4–17. DESIGN: This systematic appraisal is guided by the Protocol for App Store Systematic Reviews. SETTING: Using Google’s Advanced Search, we identified 1814 apps/1184 additional apps in an updated search on iOS, of which twenty-four were eligible. The apps’ objective and subjective quality were evaluated using the twenty-three-item, five-point Mobile App Rating Scale. The objective quality scale consists of four subscales: engagement, functionality, aesthetics and information. RESULTS: Most of the apps (75 %) focussed solely on promoting nutrition skills, such as making food dishes, rather than nutrition knowledge. Of the twenty-four apps, 83 % targeted children 4–8 years old. The app objective quality mean score was 3·60 ± 0·41. The subscale mean scores were 3·20 ± 0·41 for engagement, 4·24 ± 0·47 for functionality, 4·03 ± 0·51 for aesthetics and 2·94 ± 0·62 for information. The app subjective quality mean score was 2·10 ± 0·90. CONCLUSIONS: More robust approaches to app development leveraging co-design approaches, including involving a multidisciplinary team of experts to provide evidence-based nutrition information, are warranted.