Digital health interventions for improving nutritional behaviors in older adults: a scoping review

In the context of an aging population, nutrition plays a fundamental role. Eating habits can change in old age due to physical disorders, social isolation, and decreased appetite, leading to a decline in nutritional status. The use of digital technologies has become widespread in recent years, even among older adults, and with it, digital nutrition interventions. The aim of this scoping review was to identify key characteristics of digital nutrition interventions for older adults, appraise currently available evidence of their effectiveness, and investigate users' perceptions.

PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus databases were searched for relevant studies in April 2025. Retrieved studies were evaluated for compliance with eligibility criteria, which involved selecting studies of nutritional interventions delivered through digital technologies and aimed at community-dwelling older adults. A descriptive analysis was performed to report the characteristics of the included studies and their outcomes.

Thirteen studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review. Among the analyzed outcomes, digital nutrition interventions appeared effective in increasing dietary fiber intake, while no effect emerged on quality of life, appetite, or calorie intake. Mixed results were found regarding improvements in nutritional status, self-perceived health, adherence to the Mediterranean diet or other dietary guidelines, and protein intake. Dropout rates were generally high and tended to increase toward the end of the interventions. Qualitative analyses revealed some negative aspects such as the perceived complexity of using the apps, low acceptability, restrictions, and heavy burden brought into daily life by the interventions, and frustration derived from technical issues. Conversely, participants appreciated increased knowledge, greater awareness of nutrition, and motivational and inspirational content.

Aside from dietary fiber intake, digital nutrition interventions did not prove effective in increasing nutritional behaviors in older adults.