Computer‐ and web‐based interventions to promote healthy eating among children and adolescents: a systematic review
Abstract
Aims: To: (1) determine the effect of computer‐ and web‐based interventions on improving eating behavior (e.g. increasing fruit and vegetable consumption; decreasing fat consumption) and/or diet‐related physical outcomes (e.g. body mass index) among children and adolescents; and (2) examine what elements enhance success. Background: Children and adolescents are the heaviest they have ever been. Excess weight can carry into adulthood and result in chronic health problems. Because of the capacity to reach large audiences of children and adolescents to promote healthy eating, computer‐ and web‐based interventions hold promise for helping to curb this serious trend. However, evidence to support this approach is lacking. Design: Systematic review using guidelines from the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group. Data sources: The following databases were searched for studies from 1998–2011: CINAHL; PubMed; Cochrane; Psyc INFO; ERIC; and Proquest. Review methods: Fifteen randomized controlled trials or quasi‐experimental studies were analysed in a systematic review. Results: Although a majority of interventions resulted in statistically significant positive changes in eating behavior and/or diet‐related physical outcomes, interventions that included post intervention follow‐up, ranging from 3–18 months, showed that changes were not maintained. Elements, such as conducting the intervention at school or using individually tailored feedback, may enhance success. Conclusion: Computer‐ and web‐based interventions can improve eating behavior and diet‐related physical outcomes among children and adolescents, particularly when conducted in schools and individually tailored. These interventions can complement and support nursing efforts to give preventive care; however, maintenance efforts are recommended.
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Recent studies have identified several challenges that undermine the feasibility of technology-driven interventions, including teachers' lack of understanding of the operating systems of the technology, limited internet access, and poor technology infrastructure.
“Although a few reviews suggest that technology-driven interventions may be feasible [29, 41], recent studies have identified several challenges that undermine their feasibility. These challenges include teachers’ lack of understanding of the operating systems of the technology, limited internet access, and poor technology infrastructure [51, 52].”
From School-based healthy eating interventions for adolescents aged 10–19 years: an umbrella review (2024) · cites this paper as [52]
Curricula driven by technology effectively encouraged healthy eating behaviours at the individual level.
“Our review found that curricula driven by technology effectively encouraged healthy eating behaviours at the individual level, a finding further reinforced by recent studies [50–52].”
From School-based healthy eating interventions for adolescents aged 10–19 years: an umbrella review (2024) · cites this paper as [52]
The feasibility of multi-component interventions that require additional resources has been questioned, consistent with reporting from one review.
“Furthermore, the feasibility of multi-component interventions that require additional resources has been questioned [52, 62], which is consistent with the reporting from one review [39].”
From School-based healthy eating interventions for adolescents aged 10–19 years: an umbrella review (2024) · cites this paper as [52]
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- Authors
- Hamel, L. M., & Robbins, L. B.
- Affiliations
- Dublin City University (IE)
- Michigan State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Hamel, Lauren M.
- Venue
- Journal of Advanced Nursing
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2012-07-04
- Volume
- 69
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 16-30
- ISSN
- 0309-2402 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2648
- OpenAlex
- W2082527198
- Cited by
- 83
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 5
- FWCI
- 0.90
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Advanced Nursing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Keywords
- computer-based intervention, online intervention, healthy eating, dietary habits, children, adolescents, fruit and vegetable intake, dietary fat intake, body mass index, childhood obesity, school-based intervention, personalized feedback, intervention maintenance
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child, Computers, Eating, Health Promotion, Humans, Internet
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