title: Content Analysis of Diet-Related Mobile Apps: A Self-Regulation Perspective.
abstract: Diet-related mobile apps hold promise in helping individuals self-regulate their eating behaviors. Nevertheless, little is known about the extent to which diet-related mobile apps incorporate the established behavior change theories and evidence-based practices that promote dietary self-regulation. Guided by the self-regulation aspect of Bandura's social cognitive theory and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this study conducts a content analysis of diet-related mobile apps for iPhone (N = 400). In terms of the adherence to the self-regulation aspect of the social cognitive theory, results show that although 72.5% of the apps incorporate at least one theoretical construct, few apps tap all three processes of self-regulation (i.e., self-observation/monitoring, judgment process, and self-reaction). Additionally, outcome expectation is manifested in a majority of the diet-related apps. In terms of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010, while the diet-related apps equally emphasize setting goals for calorie intake or nutrient consumption, more apps feature nutrient tracking than calorie tracking. Implications and limitations are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Advertising and Public Relations , Michigan State University.
authors.forename: Nagwan R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Zahry
authors.affiliation: b Department of Communication , Michigan State University.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: c Department of Media and Information , Michigan State University.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology*; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications / Q000592:standards; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D000068356:Self-Control / Q000523:psychology*