The effectiveness of technology-based interventions on nutritional status in South Asia: A systematic review

Adolescents’ overall health and physical fitness are greatly influenced by their nutritional status, which also plays a key role in their growth and development. This study aims to evaluate the effects of technology-based interventions on nutritional status (malnutrition, anthropometric measurements, diet quality, and blood levels) in South Asia. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A study was conducted using databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, ProQuest, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane search engines using the following keywords: “technology,” “mobile health,” “nutritional status, “anthropometric measurement, “haemoglobin, and “adolescents.” Articles published between January 1, 2014, and June 30, 2024, were searched. The search identified 2,111 studies; 219 duplicate studies were removed. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, focusing on participants aged 10 years and older using technology-based interventions to improve diet, lifestyle, and weight management. Qualitative studies, case studies, theses, and commentaries were excluded. Four of the eight studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and four were non-RCTs. RCTs focused on nutritional knowledge, lifestyle modification, weight management, reduction of cariogenic diet, and health promotion interventions. Technology-based interventions such as mHealth, eHealth, telerehabilitation, and gamification have effectively improved nutritional outcomes and reduced the consumption of fat, sugar, and salt while increasing the intake of fruit and vegetables. Intervention-enhanced nutritional status, diet quality, and nutrient intake were positively impacted, especially in adolescents, which aligns with SDG 3 to combat malnutrition. Despite these benefits, most studies had an unclear or high risk of bias, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and standardized research on technology-driven nutritional interventions, especially for adolescents, often underrepresented in studies.