Title: Development of usability features for mobile nutrition

Authors: Raquel Troccola; June Wei

Addresses: College of Business, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, USA ' College of Business, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, USA

Abstract: Development of mobile nutrition (m-nutrition) health applications is evolving rapidly due to technology. From a usability perspective, user-friendly features can successfully help nutrition communication systems. The current paper first develops a framework model to study usability features from food diary/weight management nutrition applications. Then, identifies usability features based on telehealth communications to help people motivate and reach nutrition and exercise goals. This might include tracking food intake, educating consumers about food, and starting an exercise regime. Then, ten popular nutrition applications were identified to empirically analyse more in-depth their features by conducting cluster analysis. User-friendly and visually appealing functions are important to attract consumers. This research will be beneficial to registered dietitian nutritionists, nutrition companies and smartphone application developers in the health and fitness area.

Keywords: telehealth; smartphone applications; m-health; mobile nutrition systems; health; diet tracker; food diary; weight management; nutrient intake.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEH.2023.135783

International Journal of Electronic Healthcare, 2023 Vol.13 No.3, pp.189 - 208

Received: 28 Nov 2021
Accepted: 18 May 2022
Published online: 05 Jan 2024 *

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