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other·nutrition, dietetics, public health, research methods, observational study·PMC10337335

Incorporating Consumers’ Needs in Nutrition Apps to Promote and Maintain Use: Mixed Methods Study

JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 4 authors, 2 centres

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TL;DR

This mixed methods study identified key functionalities across three phases of nutrition app use (start, use, and end) to improve user engagement, with high time investment being the main reason for early quitting.

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This mixed methods study investigated user preferences for nutrition app functionalities to enhance sustained use. A qualitative home-use test and focus group discussions (n=40) identified 10 user-centric app aspects and 46 functionalities across three use phases (start, use, and end). A subsequent quantitative survey (n=1420) in a representative Dutch population sample confirmed the importance of these aspects. Key functionalities included a clear introduction (mean 5.45) and flexible tracking in the start phase, a reliable database (mean 5.58) and easy navigation in the use phase, and the ability to set realistic goals (mean 5.23) in the end phase. High time investment was the primary reason for discontinuing app use (14/38, 37%). The study emphasizes the need for apps to be supportive throughout all phases of use, with specific functionalities tailored to each stage. Limitations include a potential bias towards higher-educated and interested consumers.

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other

SPECIALTY

nutrition

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AI pipeline

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10337335

Incorporating Consumers’ Needs in Nutrition Apps to Promote and Maintain Use: Mixed Methods Study

JMIR mHealth and uHealth

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Nutrition apps seem to be promising tools for supporting consumers toward healthier eating habits. There is a wide variety of nutrition apps available; however, users often discontinue app use at an early stage before a permanent change in dietary behavior can be achieved. Objective The main objective of this study was to identify, from both a user and nonuser perspective, which functionalities should be included in nutrition apps to increase intentions to start and maintain use of these apps. A secondary objective was to gain insight into reasons to quit using nutrition apps at an early stage. Methods This study used a mixed methods approach and included a qualitative and a quantitative study. The qualitative study (n=40) consisted of a home-use test with 6 commercially available nutrition apps, followed by 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) to investigate user experiences. The quantitative study was a large-scale survey (n=1420), which was performed in a representative sample of the Dutch population to quantify the FGDs’ results. In the survey, several app functionalities were rated on 7-point Likert scales ranging from 1 (very unimportant) to 7 (very important). Results A total of 3 different phases of app use, subdivided into 10 user-centric app aspects and 46 associated app functionalities, were identified as relevant nutrition app elements in the FGDs. Relevance was confirmed in the survey, as all user-centric aspects and almost all app functionalities were rated as important to include in a nutrition app. In the starting phase, a clear introduction (mean 5.45, SD 1.32), purpose (mean 5.40, SD 1.40), and flexible food tracking options (mean 5.33, SD 1.45) were the most important functionalities. In the use phase, a complete and reliable food product database (mean 5.58, SD 1.41), easy navigation (mean 5.56, SD 1.36), and limited advertisements (mean 5.53, SD 1.51) were the most important functionalities. In the end phase, the possibility of setting realistic goals (mean 5.23, SD 1.44), new personal goals (mean 5.13, SD 1.45), and continuously offering new information (mean 4.88, SD 1.44) were the most important functionalities. No large differences between users, former users, and nonusers were found. The main reason for quitting a nutrition app in the survey was the high time investment (14/38, 37%). This was also identified as a barrier in the FGDs. Conclusions Nutrition apps should be supportive in all 3 phases of use (start, use, and end) to increase consumers’ intentions to start and maintain the use of these apps and achieve a change in dietary behavior. Each phase includes several key app functionalities that require specific attention from app developers. High time investment is an important reason to quit nutrition app use at an early stage. Keywords: mobile health, mHealth, mHealth apps, nutrition apps, diet apps, consumer needs, app, use, nutrition, tool, consumer, eating, habit, users, dietary behavior, reliable, food, database, time, developers, mobile phone

CITATION EXPORT

Sandra van der Haar, Ireen Raaijmakers, Muriel C D Verain et al.. Incorporating Consumers’ Needs in Nutrition Apps to Promote and Maintain Use: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. (2023). https://doi.org/10.2196/39515

AUTHORS

4 · 2 CENTRES

Sandra van der Haar, Ireen Raaijmakers, Muriel C D Verain, Saskia Meijboom

1Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
2Wageningen Economic Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands