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Recommender systems use in weight management mHealth interventions: A scoping review
Bianca A de Castro1, Sara M Levens2, Margaret Sullivan3
1Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
Summary
Recommender systems in mobile health apps for weight control show limited user engagement. Future research should focus on behavior theory and tailored features to improve user interaction and long-term weight management.
Area of Science:
- Digital health
- mHealth interventions
- Weight management technology
Background:
- Mobile health (mHealth) apps are increasingly used for weight control, but user adoption and sustained engagement remain significant challenges.
- Recommender systems offer personalized user experiences, yet their impact on engagement within mHealth weight management apps requires thorough investigation.
- Existing digital health interventions often lack robust theoretical underpinnings and consistent engagement strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review exploring the influence of recommender systems on user engagement in mHealth weight management apps.
- To identify theoretical frameworks applied in digital health interventions for weight management.
- To examine key factors supporting tailored user engagement through recommender systems.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search identified 13 relevant articles on recommender systems for weight management.
- The review analyzed themes including theoretical frameworks, author expertise, user motivation, and app design features.
- Social Cognitive Theory was the most frequently applied theoretical construct.
Main Results:
- Inconsistencies were noted between authors' expertise and intervention content, with limited input from health and psychology professionals.
- Only 46% of reviewed articles measured user engagement, despite common use of gamification and tailored messages.
- While some studies reported positive weight changes, user engagement strategies were often underdeveloped.
Conclusions:
- Enhancing user engagement in mHealth weight management apps requires better integration of behavioral theories and tailored recommender system features.
- Future research should prioritize accurate measurement of user motivation and identify optimal features for increasing app interaction.
- Larger, diverse studies are needed to validate findings and assess long-term weight loss maintenance and physical activity habits.
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