Past, Present, and Future of eHealth and mHealth Research to Improve Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors

Corneel Vandelanotte; Andre M Müller; Camille E Short; Melanie Hingle; Nicole Nathan; Susan L Williams; Michael L Lopez; Sanjoti Parekh; Carol A Maher

doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2015.12.006

Past, Present, and Future of eHealth and mHealth Research to Improve Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors

J Nutr Educ Behav. 2016 Mar;48(3):219-228.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2015.12.006.

Authors

Corneel Vandelanotte¹, Andre M Müller², Camille E Short³, Melanie Hingle⁴, Nicole Nathan⁵, Susan L Williams⁶, Michael L Lopez⁷, Sanjoti Parekh⁸, Carol A Maher⁹

Affiliations

¹ Physical Activity Research Group, School for Human Health and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, North Rockhamptom, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: c.vandelanotte@cqu.edu.au.
² Sports Centre, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
³ Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
⁴ Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
⁵ Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Area Health Service, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
⁶ School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, North Rockhamptom, Queensland, Australia.
⁷ Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, The Texas A&M System, College Station, TX.
⁸ Centre for National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation, Menzies Health Institute (Queensland), Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
⁹ School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

PMID: 26965100
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2015.12.006

Abstract

Because physical inactivity and unhealthy diets are highly prevalent, there is a need for cost-effective interventions that can reach large populations. Electronic health (eHealth) and mobile health (mHealth) solutions have shown promising outcomes and have expanded rapidly in the past decade. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the state of the evidence for the use of eHealth and mHealth in improving physical activity and nutrition behaviors in general and special populations. The role of theory in eHealth and mHealth interventions is addressed, as are methodological issues. Key recommendations for future research in the field of eHealth and mHealth are provided.

Keywords: behavior change; diet; intervention; nutrition; physical activity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Behavioral Research* / methods
Behavioral Research* / trends
Diet*
Exercise*
Health Behavior*
Health Promotion* / methods
Health Promotion* / trends
Humans
Telemedicine*