title: Mobile applications for weight management: theory-based content analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of smartphone applications (apps) to assist with weight management is increasingly prevalent, but the quality of these apps is not well characterized.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of the study was to evaluate diet/nutrition and anthropometric tracking apps based on incorporation of features consistent with theories of behavior change.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comparative, descriptive assessment was conducted of the top-rated free apps in the Health and Fitness category available in the iTunes App Store. Health and Fitness apps (N=200) were evaluated using predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria and categorized based on commonality in functionality, features, and developer description. Four researchers then evaluated the two most popular apps in each category using two instruments: one based on traditional behavioral theory (score range: 0-100) and the other on the Fogg Behavioral Model (score range: 0-6). Data collection and analysis occurred in November 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eligible apps (n=23) were divided into five categories: (1) diet tracking; (2) healthy cooking; (3) weight/anthropometric tracking; (4) grocery decision making; and (5) restaurant decision making. The mean behavioral theory score was 8.1 (SD=4.2); the mean persuasive technology score was 1.9 (SD=1.7). The top-rated app on both scales was Lose It! by Fitnow Inc.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All apps received low overall scores for inclusion of behavioral theory-based strategies.
authors.affiliation: Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute, Palo Alto. Electronic address: azark@pamfri.org.
authors.forename: Kristen M J
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Azar
authors.forename: Lenard I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Lesser
authors.forename: Brian Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Laing
authors.forename: Janna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: Magi S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Aurora
authors.forename: Lora E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Latha P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Palaniappan
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D001835:Body Weight; D040421:Cell Phone; D003296:Cooking / Q000592:standards; D003657:Decision Making; D004032:Diet; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*