The effectiveness of e-& mHealth interventions to promote physical activity and healthy diets in developing countries: a systematic review

Müller, A.M. and Alley, S. and Schoeppe, S. and Vandelanotte, C. (2016) The effectiveness of e-& mHealth interventions to promote physical activity and healthy diets in developing countries: a systematic review. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 13 (109). ISSN 1479-5868,

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Abstract

Background Promoting physical activity and healthy eating is important to combat the unprecedented rise in NCDs in many developing countries. Using modern information-and communication technologies to deliver physical activity and diet interventions is particularly promising considering the increased proliferation of such technologies in many developing countries. The objective of this systematic review is to investigate the effectiveness of e-& mHealth interventions to promote physical activity and healthy diets in developing countries. Methods Major databases and grey literature sources were searched to retrieve studies that quantitatively examined the effectiveness of e-& mHealth interventions on physical activity and diet outcomes in developing countries. Additional studies were retrieved through citation alerts and scientific social media allowing study inclusion until August 2016. The CONSORT checklist was used to assess the risk of bias of the included studies. Results A total of 15 studies conducted in 13 developing countries in Europe, Africa, Latin-and South America and Asia were included in the review. The majority of studies enrolled adults who were healthy or at risk of diabetes or hypertension. The average intervention length was 6.4 months, and text messages and the Internet were the most frequently used intervention delivery channels. Risk of bias across the studies was moderate (55.7 % of the criteria fulfilled). Eleven studies reported significant positive effects of an e-& mHealth intervention on physical activity and/or diet behaviour. Respectively, 50 % and 70 % of the interventions were effective in promoting physical activity and healthy diets. Conclusions The majority of studies demonstrated that e-& mHealth interventions were effective in promoting physical activity and healthy diets in developing countries. Future interventions should use more rigorous study designs, investigate the cost-effectiveness and reach of interventions, and focus on emerging technologies, such as smart phone apps and wearable activity trackers. Trial registration The review protocol can be retrieved from the PROSPERO database (Registration ID: CRD42015029240).

Item Type:	Article
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Additional Information:	Many developing countries are now facing a problem with increasing chronic diseases. These diseases are, for example, diabetes and heart disease. It is very clear that many of these diseases can be avoided if people eat more healthily and are more active. But, at the moment many people in developing countries do not move much and eat too much sugar and fat. To help people living healthier it might be good to use modern technology like mobile phones and the Internet. This is a good idea because many people in developing countries use these technologies. We wanted to know if it was effective to use technology to promote physical activity and healthy diets in developing countries. We found 15 research studies from 13 different countries from Asia, Europe, Latin- and South America and Africa. Most studies were done in Asia (esp. India). Most studies showed that technology was effective in helping people to eat healthier and/or be more active.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	mhealth, ehealth, Exercise, Physical activity, Diet, Developing countries
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science (formerly known as Centre for Sports & Exercise Sciences)
Depositing User:	Dr Andre Matthias Mueller
Date Deposited:	21 Nov 2016 02:04
Last Modified:	21 Nov 2016 02:04
URI:	http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/16595

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