title: A systematic review: is there an app for that? Translational science of pediatric behavior change for physical activity and dietary interventions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Systematically review and meta-analyze the pediatric literature on behavior-change techniques (BCT) as defined by Abraham & Michie (Health Psychology, 27, 379-387, 2008), and describe whether the most effective BCTs are incorporated in physical activity (PA) and dietary mobile apps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trials (n = 74) targeting diet or PA were meta-analyzed. Metaregressions were used to determine which BCTs predict aggregate effect size (ES). iTunes™ apps were coded for presence/absence of BCTs that produce larger ES.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Modeling was the only predictor of PA ES in children (aged 6-13 years). Consequences for behavior, other's approval, self-monitoring, intention formation, and behavioral contracting significantly predicted PA for adolescents. Modeling and social support predicted dietary ES in adolescents and children, respectively. Practice was also a significant predictor for children. A majority of effective strategies for children were not widely incorporated in apps; however, the picture is more optimistic for adolescents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More collaboration is needed between pediatric psychologists and technologists to incorporate evidence-based BCTs into developmentally appropriate mobile apps.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University and Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas.
authors.forename: Erin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Brannon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University and Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas christopher.cushing@ku.edu.
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Cushing
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications; D012044:Regression Analysis; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical
keywords: apps; child and adolescent health; diet; mHealth; physical activity; technology