Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Healthy Environment Chair, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.
Unit of Nutrition and Health, EURECAT-Technology Centre of Catalonia, Reus, Spain.
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2020 Sep 16;8(9):e18339. doi: 10.2196/18339.
BACKGROUND: Food allergies and intolerances are increasing worldwide, and mobile phone apps could be a promising tool for self-management of these issues. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systemically search and assess food allergy or intolerance apps in app stores using the multidimensional Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) to rate the objective and subjective quality and to identify critical points for future improvements. METHODS: This systematic search identified apps through the keywords "food allergy," "food intolerance," and "allergens" in English, Spanish, and Italian in the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). The inclusion criteria were a user star rating of ≥3 (of 5 stars) to limit the selection to the most highly rated apps; ≥1000 reviews as an indicator of reliability; and the most recent update performed up to 2017. Then, the apps were divided according to their purpose (searching for allergen-free "food products," "restaurants," or recipes in "meal planners") and evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5 points using the MARS in terms of (1) app classification category with a descriptive aim; (2) app subjective and objective quality categories comprised of engagement, functionality, esthetics, and information sections (Medline was searched for eligible apps to check whether they had been tested in trials); and (3) an optional app-specific section. Furthermore, the output and input features were evaluated. Differences between MARS sections and between app purposes and correlations among MARS sections, star ratings, and numbers of reviews were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 1376 apps identified, 14 were included: 12 related to food allergies and intolerances that detect 2-16 food allergens and 2 related only to gluten intolerance. The mean (SD) MARS scores (maximum 5 points) were 3.8 (SD 0.4) for objective quality, highlighting whether any app had been tested in trials; 3.5 (SD 0.6) for subjective quality; and 3.6 (SD 0.7) for the app-specific section. Therefore, a rating ≥3 points indicated overall acceptable quality. From the between-section comparison, engagement (mean 3.5, SD 0.6) obtained significantly lower scores than functionality (mean 4.1, SD 0.6), esthetics (mean 4, SD 0.5), and information (mean 3.8, SD 0.4). However, when the apps were compared by purpose, critical points were identified: meal planner apps showed significantly higher engagement (mean 4.1, SD 0.4) than food product (mean 3.0, SD 0.6; P=.05) and restaurant (mean 3.2, SD 0.3; P=.02) apps. CONCLUSIONS: In this systematic search of food allergy or intolerance apps, acceptable MARS quality was identified, although the engagement section for food product and restaurant purpose apps should be improved and the included apps should be tested in trials. The critical points identified in this systematic search can help improve the innovativeness and applicability of future food allergy and intolerance apps.
背景:食物过敏和不耐受在全球范围内呈上升趋势,移动应用程序可能是管理这些问题的有前途的工具。
目的:本研究旨在通过多维移动应用程序评级量表(MARS)系统地搜索和评估应用商店中的食物过敏或不耐受应用程序,以评估其客观和主观质量,并确定未来改进的关键点。
方法:本系统搜索通过在苹果应用商店(iOS)和谷歌播放商店(Android)中使用英语、西班牙语和意大利语的“食物过敏”、“食物不耐受”和“过敏原”关键词来识别应用程序。纳入标准为用户星级评分为≥3(满分 5 星),以限制选择最高评分的应用程序;≥1000 条评论作为可靠性指标;以及截至 2017 年的最新更新。然后,根据其目的(搜索无过敏原“食物产品”、“餐馆”或“膳食计划”中的食谱)将应用程序进行分类,并使用 MARS 进行评估,满分为 5 分,评估内容包括:(1)应用程序分类类别,具有描述性目的;(2)应用程序主观和客观质量类别,包括参与度、功能性、美学和信息部分(为符合条件的应用程序搜索 Medline,以检查它们是否在试验中进行过测试);(3)可选的应用程序特定部分。此外,还评估了输出和输入功能。评估了 MARS 部分之间以及应用程序目的之间的差异,以及 MARS 部分、星级评分和评论数量之间的相关性。
结果:在确定的 1376 个应用程序中,有 14 个被纳入研究:12 个与食物过敏和不耐受有关,可检测 2-16 种食物过敏原,2 个仅与麸质不耐受有关。(最大 5 分)的平均(SD)MARS 评分(客观质量)为 3.8(SD 0.4),突出了任何应用程序是否经过试验测试;主观质量评分为 3.5(SD 0.6);应用程序特定部分评分为 3.6(SD 0.7)。因此,评分≥3 分表示整体质量可接受。从部分之间的比较来看,参与度(平均 3.5,SD 0.6)得分明显低于功能性(平均 4.1,SD 0.6)、美学(平均 4,SD 0.5)和信息(平均 3.8,SD 0.4)。然而,当按目的比较应用程序时,确定了关键问题:膳食计划应用程序的参与度(平均 4.1,SD 0.4)明显高于食物产品(平均 3.0,SD 0.6;P=.05)和餐厅(平均 3.2,SD 0.3;P=.02)应用程序。
结论:在这项针对食物过敏或不耐受应用程序的系统搜索中,发现了可接受的 MARS 质量,尽管应改进食物产品和餐厅目的应用程序的参与部分,并应在试验中测试所包括的应用程序。本系统搜索确定的关键问题有助于提高未来食物过敏和不耐受应用程序的创新性和适用性。
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2024-10-4
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2022-10-12
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2021-9-21
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2019-8-5
Rheumatol Adv Pract. 2024-11-7
JMIR Med Educ. 2025-2-14
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2024-10-4
J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2020-2-1
JMIR Ment Health. 2019-8-22
J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2019
Nutrients. 2019-7-22
NPJ Digit Med. 2018-5-9
Medicina (Kaunas). 2019-5-1