Tools- of Changes

Motivators and Barriers for Using Nutrition Apps

This 2021 systematic review synthesizes the literature on barriers to and facilitators for nutrition app use across disciplines including empirical qualitative and quantitative studies with current users, ex-users, and nonusers of nutrition apps.

A total of 28 publications were identified as eligible. A framework with a 3-level hierarchy was designed which grouped 328 individual barriers and facilitators into 23 subcategories, 12 categories, and 4 clusters.

1. Focus on the Individual User

• Goal setting and goal striving
• Motivation
• Routines
• Lack of awareness or knowledge

2. Focus on the Technology

• App features
• Usability of the app or food database
• Technical issues
• Data security, accuracy/trustworthiness
• Costs

3. Focus on Positive and Negative Outcomes of Nutrition App Use

4. Interactions between the User and their Social Environment.