Journal of medical Internet research
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J. Med. Internet Res. · Apr 2016
Review Meta AnalysisEfficacy and External Validity of Electronic and Mobile Phone-Based Interventions Promoting Vegetable Intake in Young Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Young adults (18-35 years) remain among the lowest vegetable consumers in many western countries. The digital era offers opportunities to engage this age group in interventions in new and appealing ways. ⋯ Preliminary evidence suggests that eHealth and mHealth strategies may be effective in improving vegetable intake in young adults; whether these small effects have clinical or nutritional significance remains questionable. With studies predominantly reporting outcomes as fruit and vegetable intake combined, we suggest that interventions report vegetables separately. Furthermore, to confidently establish the efficacy of these strategies, better-quality interventions are needed for young adults, using valid measures of intake, with improved reporting on costs, sustainability and long-term effects of programs.