Mobile phone interventions to improve adolescents' physical health: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile phone intervention in promoting a healthy lifestyle among adolescents.

METHODS

Six databases were used for literature searches: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, KoreaMed, and Research Information Sharing Service. The keywords used were "adolescents," "mobile phone," "smartphone," "mHealth," "application," and "text message." The search was restricted to intervention studies using randomized controlled studies and pre- and post-control group studies targeting adolescents, all written in English and Korean.

RESULTS

Eleven intervention studies, including 1,472 adolescents, were included. Included studies published between 2013 and 2018 used various mobile phone features: four studies utilized phone call and text messaging, whereas seven studies used health applications. Methodological quality was assessed and the overall quality of the studies was mid to low. The pooled data favored intervention in improving physical activity and reducing sugar-sweetened beverage intake and screen time. In a pooled data analysis, the effectiveness of mobile phone intervention on body mass index and weight loss was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

This study provided evidence that mobile phone intervention improved physical health and fitness among adolescents. More beneficial effects can be guaranteed when interventions involve informative and motivational messages. Strategies to ensure the durability of such interventions are needed to promote active and continuous engagement.