ArticleJMIR mHealth and uHealth2019
Nutrition-Related Mobile Apps in the China App Store: Assessment of Functionality and Quality.
Article in JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 27 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
27 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Standards, Processes, and Tools Used to Evaluate the Quality of Health Information Systems: Systematic Literature Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2022Pooled it
- A Review of Mortality Risk Prediction Models in Smartphone Applications.Journal of medical systems · 2021Pooled it
- Mobile Apps for Drug-Drug Interaction Checks in Chinese App Stores: Systematic Review and Content Analysis.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2021Pooled it
- Trial
- Evaluating function availability and user satisfaction with nutrition apps: user-generated content analysis and text mining study.Nutrition journal · 2026Article
- Functionality and quality assessment of Iranian nutrition-related apps using the mobile app rating scale.Journal of education and health promotion · 2026Article
- Evaluation of Mobile Intermittent Fasting Applications in Chinese App Stores: Quality Evaluations and Content Analysis.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2025Article
- Nutrition-Related Mobile Apps in the Spanish App Stores: Quality and Content Analysis.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2024Article
- Nutrition Management Miniprograms in WeChat: Evaluation of Functionality and Quality.JMIR human factors · 2024Observational
- Attributes, Quality, and Downloads of Dementia-Related Mobile Apps for Patients With Dementia and Their Caregivers: App Review and Evaluation Study.JMIR formative research · 2024Article
- "Internet+Nursing Service" Mobile Apps in China App Stores: Functionality and Quality Assessment Study.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2024Article
- Nutrition and Diet Apps: Brazilian Panorama before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.Nutrients · 2023Article
- A systematic appraisal of the information, engagement, aesthetic and functional quality of nutrition-related smartphone apps for children and adolescents.Public health nutrition · 2023Review
- Menstrual Tracking Mobile App Review by Consumers and Health Care Providers: Quality Evaluations Study.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2023Review
- Changes in Mobile Health Apps Usage Before and After the COVID-19 Outbreak in China: Semilongitudinal Survey.JMIR public health and surveillance · 2023Article
- Article
- Online media exposure and weight and fitness management app use correlate with disordered eating symptoms: evidence from the mainland of China.Journal of eating disorders · 2022Article
- Nutrition-Related Mobile Apps in the French App Stores: Assessment of Functionality and Quality.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2022Review
- Identification and Evaluation of Methodologies to Assess the Quality of Mobile Health Apps in High-, Low-, and Middle-Income Countries: Rapid Review.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2021Review
- Perspectives and Preferences of Adult Smartphone Users Regarding Nutrition and Diet Apps: Web-Based Survey Study.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThere are an increasing number of mobile apps that provide dietary guidance to support a healthy lifestyle and disease management. However, the characteristics of these nutrition-related apps are not well analyzed.
objectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the functionality and quality of nutrition-related apps in China.
methodsMobile apps providing dietary guidance were screened in the Chinese iOS and Android app stores in November 2017, using stepwise searching criteria. The first screening consisted of extracting information from the app descriptions. Apps that (1) were free, (2) contain information on diet and nutrition, and (3) were last updated after January 1, 2016, were downloaded for further analysis. Nutritional functionalities were determined according to the Chinese Dietary Guidelines framework. Market-related functionalities were developed from previous studies and tailored to downloaded apps. The quality of apps was assessed with the user version of the Mobile App Rating Scale (uMARS).
resultsOut of 628 dietary guidance apps screened, 44 were nutrition-related. Of these, guidance was provided on diet exclusively (11/44, 25%), fitness (17/44, 39%), disease management (11/44, 25%), or maternal health (5/44, 11%). Nutritional functionalities included nutritional information inquiry (40/44, 91%), nutrition education (35/44, 80%), food record (34/44, 77%), diet analysis (34/44, 77%), and personalized recipes (21/44, 48%). Dietary analysis and suggestions mainly focused on energy intake (33/44, 75%) and less on other factors such as dietary structure (10/44, 23%). Social communication functionalities were available in 42 apps (96%), user incentives were supported in 26 apps (59%), and intelligent recognition technology was available in 8 apps (18%). The median score for the quality of the 44 apps, as determined on a 5-point uMARS scale, was 3.6 (interquartile range 0.7).
conclusionsMost nutrition-related apps are developed for health management rather than for dietary guidance exclusively. Although basic principles of energy balance are used, their nutritional functionality was relatively limited and not individualized. More efforts should be made to develop nutrition-related apps with evidence-based nutritional knowledge, comprehensive and personalized dietary guidance, and innovative technology.
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