Smartphone-Based Health Program for Improving Physical Activity and Tackling Obesity for Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The need for physical activity for health promotion is recognized, yet young adults still perform insufficient physical activity. Smartphone health programs can be applied easily without time and space constraints, and various mobile health programs based on smartphone applications have recently been developed and applied. This study aimed to measure the effects of mobile smartphone-based health programs on physical activity and obesity outcomes in young adults through a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched publications in English through electronic databases up to May 2019. Studies were included that provided interventions to improve physical activity using smartphone applications for young adults. After assessing study quality, data were extracted and synthesized concerning whether smartphone interventions affect health outcomes including physical activity and weight using Meta-Analysis software. Four randomized controlled studies and a quasi-experimental study were analyzed. They provided information related to health management, diet, physical activity, and personalized feedback using smartphone applications. The meta-analysis showed that smartphone-based health interventions significantly affect weight loss and increase physical activity. This study provides modest evidence for using smartphone health programs to improve young adults’ physical activity, weight control, and body mass index (BMI). Future research is needed to understand long-term effects and the reliability of increasing physical activity through smartphone health programs.