The Main Features of Food Consumption Mobile Apps in Saudi Arabia: A Scoping Review

The Main Features of Food Consumption Mobile Apps in Saudi Arabia: A Scoping Review | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article The Main Features of Food Consumption Mobile Apps in Saudi Arabia: A Scoping Review Duaa Alammari, Mayasem Alruhimi, Sarah Alkhunein, Aljawharah Alabdulkarim This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3807487/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Food consumption apps seem to be supportive digital tools for facilitating weight management and facilitating healthier eating habits. There is a wide variety of food consumption apps available; however, there is limited evidence that determines the main features of these apps. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the scope of prominent food consumption mobile apps across two commercial app stores (Apple iOS and Google Play) and to determine the main features of the apps systematically. Methods This scoping review was conducted across the Apple iOS and Google Play Stories in three steps: (1) an electronic app search, (2) the extraction of data, and (3) the analysis of app characteristics and features. Results A total of 99 apps were included, 41 (41%) of which were from the iOS store and 58 (59%) of which were from the Google Play store. Approximately 52% of the apps were rated “4.5 or less”, and 48% of the apps were rated “4.6 and above”. Most of the apps offered more than one language, 81% of which provided 1 to 6 languages, and only 10.1% of the apps offered 7 to 12 languages. We identified a total of 23 features; 29% of the apps had 13 to 18 features, 27% of the apps had 7 to 12 features, and 23% of the apps had 19 + features. In contrast, 18.2% of the apps had 1 to 6 features. Conclusions The findings of this review indicate that while a wide range of food consumption apps are available, most apps offer limited features. Therefore, there is a need to introduce unique features, such as entering food by picture or barcode scanning, food composition tables, and tracking of micronutrients, to attract more users. In addition, the number of features was shown to be associated with app ratings. Notably, high ratings may increase the app's visibility; therefore, this factor should be considered by app developers when adding desirable features in the future. apps weight weight management weight loss nutrition diet dietary body weight caloric count weight loss food consumption Figures Figure 1 1. Background Obesity is a growing health problem. Since 1980, the global prevalence of overweight and obesity has doubled, and one-third of the world's population is overweight or obese [ 1 ]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is defined as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that may cause harm to human health [ 2 ]. Several diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, are associated with obesity [ 3 ]. In addition, the consumption of foods high in fat and sugar is a modifiable risk factor associated with the risk of developing diet-related noncommunicable diseases [ 4 ]. Self-monitoring for food intake is considered one of the methods that can aid in weight control as a cornerstone behavioral treatment for obesity and several noncommunicable diseases. Fruit intake self-monitoring can be performed using traditional paper-based methods or technology-based methods [ 5 ]. Technology-based methods for tracking daily food consumption are increasing considerably due to technological advances. These methods include the use of food consumption mobile apps and other self-monitoring digital tools, which may result in weight loss and management [ 6 – 7 ]. Food consumption apps are used to track daily food consumption by recording all foods and beverages consumed during the day and then providing an overall estimation of energy, macro, and micronutrient contents [ 8 ]. Some specialists believe that the use of food consumption apps is more accurate than traditional methods (such as a diet record) for tracking the diet due to the immediate entry of dietary records after eating, and this approach reduces dependency on memory [ 9 ]. In addition, there are numerous benefits of using food consumption apps, including lower costs, increased awareness of healthy eating, and easier food consumption tracking, compared to other methods [ 10 ]. Food consumption apps are popular locally and globally. In global studies, 51 apps were found to be popular in Australia [ 11 ], 95 apps in Europe [ 12 ], and approximately 300 apps in the U.S. [ 13 ]. Looking at local studies, a study done by Alshathri et al. (2020), the results showed that a total of 60 apps were identified from the search in the Saudi app stores and they demonstrated that approximately 30% of participants had used weight management apps, and the most common reason for users to download these apps was to monitor food intake (37%)[ 14 ]. These findings are consistent with those of another web-based questionnaire study conducted by Aljuraiban GS. According to (2019), one of the most common reasons for users to download weight-management apps was to manage weight among both overweight or obese individuals and to monitor food intake in normal-weight individuals [ 15 ]. Additionally, A Study found that improvement of health status and weight reduction are the main reasons for using mHealth Apps in Saudi Arabia [ 16 ]. The features of apps play a vital role in their usage patterns. Several studies have focused on identifying the common desirable features of food consumption apps. In 2015, a qualitative study was conducted by Alnasser AA et al. to learn more about the proposed features of an Arabic weight loss app by interviewing overweight and obese Saudi users. The Arabic language, motivational support and social networking, nutritional and physical activity tools, and user-friendly interfaces emerged as recommendations for an ideal weight loss app [ 17 ]. Furthermore, the potential to be supervised by a specialist, identify nutritional value through barcodes, obtain nutritional information on food items, and provide periodic reports that include progress updates and continuous reminders to follow a diet or physical activity plan are common desirable features of diet apps [ 14 – 15 ]. However, there is growing research on the perspectives of users in Saudi Arabia about the desirable features of apps that monitor food consumption and the reasons for users to download these apps. Notably, their perspective and desires may vary from those of other societies. There are no available scoping reviews focusing on exploring the features of available food consumption apps in Saudi app stores—to the best of the authors’ knowledge. This fact highlights the importance of conducting a scoping review to identify the scope of prominent food consumption apps and the most common features, which helps to match desirable features with available features and identify gaps as an essential step in developing national food consumption apps suitable for users in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to identify the scope of prominent food consumption mobile apps across two major commercial app stores (Apple iOS and Google Play) and to determine the primary purpose, key features, language options, subscription options, user ratings, and number of downloads to understand the local context. 2. Methods 2.1 Study design This scoping review was conducted using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines [ 18 ]. To identify the scope of prominent food consumption mobile apps across two commercial app stores (Apple iOS and Google Play) in Saudi Arabia and to determine the main features of the apps systematically. 2.2 Apps search strategy An electronic search was conducted between July 2021 and October 2021 to collect data relevant to food consumption across two major commercial app stores, the iPhone operating system (Apple iOS) and the Android system (Google Play). First, two reviewers independently searched for articles in each store using the English search terms related to food consumption. Keywords included “weight”, “weight management”, “weight loss”, “nutrition”, “diet”, “dietary”, “body weight”, “calorie count”, and “weight loss”. No search filters were used to find a large number of apps within the designated time frame. Figure 1 displays the methodology used in this scoping review. All food consumption mobile apps available on at least one of Saudi Arabia's app stores for the iPhone (Apple iOS) or the Android (Google Play) with the primary purpose of tracking individual food consumption were included. All apps unavailable on Google Play or Apple iOS stores in Saudi Arabia were excluded. In addition, apps that did not track food consumption, such as fitness or workout apps, were also excluded. 2.3 App selection The app selection process was performed in two phases, as shown in Fig. 1 . Phase 1. Initial screening In the first phase, two reviewers independently screened all the apps found during the search process. The initial number of mobile apps that met the review inclusion criteria was 610 for the iPhone (Apple iOS) and 328 for the Android (Google Play) phone. The initial screening process involved removing duplicate apps; 265 apps were duplicated for the iPhone (Apple iOS), and 105 were duplicated for the Android (Google Play). A total of 345 mobile apps were available after the initial screening: one from the iPhone (Apple iOS) and 223 from the Android (Google Play). Phase 2. Final screening In the second phase, the first ten displayed apps from each keyword search (after removing the duplicated apps) were selected. Several search terms had fewer than ten results; in that case, all the apps were included. A total of 41 apps were included in the iPhone (Apple iOS), and 58 apps were included in the Android (Google Play) for a total of 99 apps in this review. It is worth noting that apps that appeared on both app stores were added twice (one for Google Play and one for Apple iOS) to account for various features supported by two different mobile operating systems. 2.4 Data extraction The data extraction form was created using Microsoft Excel. The collected data included the following: app name, date of search, name of reviewers, app store (operating system), keyword, age, developer, main purpose, number of downloads (only available for the Android), rating, premium subscription option, languages, and number of features (see Appendix 1) for the full extraction form. 2.5 Feature inventory A list of feature inventories was created via deductive analysis by identifying the features in the most popular apps. The three most common apps that appeared in the search multiple times in both the Apple iOS and Google Play systems were selected. These apps are “MyFitnessPal,” “Lose It,” and “Calorie Counter,” which appeared when searching six to seven keywords. These apps were reviewed independently using each operating system. All the features of these three apps were listed from both operating systems. A total of 32 features were listed and then categorized into eight main categories (themes). This list was used as a feature inventory to compare the number of available features in the sample of apps. Table 1 shows the full themes and features. Table 1 The themes and features that were extracted from the three most common food consumption apps in both the Apple iOS and Google Play stores. Themes/Categories Features Biometrics/body Composition Allow entering current weight measurement? Customize goal weight Customize weekly weight change goal (loss/gain) Diet: Caloric Customize caloric requirement Calculate daily calories allowance based on height, weight, and gender Calorie counting/tracking Track the history of consumed calories Diet: Macronutrients Customization macronutrients percentage Calculate macronutrients requirement by gram and/or percentage Tracking macronutrients Diet: Micronutrients, and Water Tracking micronutrients: mineral and vitamin Tracking water/liquid intake Entering Food-related Data Enter food by searching large database to search for nutrition facts Enter food by picture Enter food by barcode scanning Create food items customize the name Create meals and customize the name Create recipes and customize the name Food Composition Tables Physical activity/Calorie Expenditure Customize fitness goals Track fitness activities Track steps Offer workout guides Notification, Motivation, Support Have reminder for weight measurement Have reminders to enter your daily data Use personal achievements program for motivation to reach the goal Join online community or friends Learn from expert and coaching Provide nutritional awareness Extras Integrate/sync the apps with fitness tracking apps, or devices Customize your requirements based on several types of diet Diet/recipe recommendation Two reviewers examined a total of 99 apps independently by trying the apps themselves to identify if the apps had any of the 32 features and 8 themes (yes or no). If the app had at least one subcategory (features), it was considered to have the theme or category. The decision was made when both reviewers agreed, and all discrepancies were resolved through discussion with a third reviewer. 2.6 Statistical analysis The data analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics version 16.0. The data are presented as frequencies and proportions and were analyzed via descriptive statistical analysis. In addition, crosstabulation analysis was performed using the chi-square test to explore the association between two categorical variables, with P < .05 and 95% CI indicating statistical significance. 2.7 Ethical considerations The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Biomedical Ethics Research Committee of King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) (Reference No. IRBC/1082/21). We confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. 3. Results A total of 99 apps were included in this review after a full search and screening between July and October 2021. Forty-one (41.4%) apps were from the iOS store, and 58 (58.6%) apps were from the Google Play store. However, only six apps appeared in both systems when searching: MyFitnessPal, Lose it, Calorie Counter, Carb Manager, Cronometer - Nutrition tracker, and Healthifyme. Table 2 shows the characteristics of the food consumption apps. The highest number of apps was found when the keyword “nutrition” was used (26.3%), followed by “weight” (21.2%). The keywords “weight loss” and “body weight” generated the least number of search results, 2% and 1%, respectively. Table 2 The characteristics of the included food consumption apps (n = 99). Variable Categories n (%) Operating system iOS store 41(41.4) Android 58(58.6) Keywords Weight 21(21.2) Weight Management 13(13.1) Weight lose 2(2.0) Nutrition 26(26.3) Diet 17(17.2) Dietary 6(6.1) Body Weight 1(1.0) Calorie Counter 4(4.0) Lose weight 9(9.1) Age less than 4 58(58.6) 4–8 30(30.3) 9 and more 11(11.1) Main Purpose health & fitness 31(31.3) calories and food tracking 37(37.4) recipes and meal plans 18(18.2) weight loss 13(13.1) # of Downloads Not applicable 41(41.4) 1000 to 10,000 7(7.1) 10,0001 to 100,000 19(19.2) 100,001 to 1000,000 17(17.2) 1000,001 and higher 15(15.2) Rating 4.5 or less 52(52.5) 4.6 and above 47(47.5) Subscription free Yes 99(100) No 0(0.0) # of Languages 1–6 81(81.8) 7 or more 18(18.2) # of Features 1–6 18(18.2) 7–12 27(27.3) 13–18 29(29.3) 19 and more 23(23.2) n (%) = Data presented as numbers and percentages We also grouped apps according to their main purpose into four categories. We found that the highest proportion of apps were intended for calories, food tracking, and health and fitness (37.4% and 31.3%, respectively). Looking at users’ ratings of apps, high ratings may increase the app's visibility and ranking. Slightly more than half of the apps (52.5%) were rated “4.5 or less”, and 47.5% of the apps were rated “4.6 and above”. Most of the apps offered more than one language, 80.8% of which offered 1 to 6 language options, and 10.1% of the apps offered 7 to 12 languages. In addition, all the apps had an option for additional app purchases or a premium subscription fee. Looking at the number of downloads, the iOS system does not provide this information. Therefore, we were only able to extract the information for the Android system. Only 19.2% of the apps had 10,0001 to 100,000 downloads, and 17.2% had 100,001 to 1000,000 downloads. We identified common features available in food consumption apps and categorized them according to their characteristics. A total of 32 features were listed under eight themes/categories (Table 1 ). Our results indicated that 29.3% of the apps had 13 to 18 features, 27.3% had 7 to 12 features, and 23.2% had 19 + features. However, 18.2% of the apps had 1 to 6 features. The features of the apps were grouped into themes/categories (Table 1 ). Table 3 shows the percentages of apps in each category. Most of the apps had features such as biometrics/body composition (82.8%) and diet/calorie (80.8%). The least common category was diet: micronutrients and water (58.6%). The features of the subcategories were also examined. The most common feature is allowing the entry of current weight measurements (82.8%), followed by calorie counting/tracking (69.7%), customized caloric requirements and calculation of daily caloric allowances (64.6%), and tracking macronutrients (60.6%). Food composition tables (3%), entering food by a picture (11.1%), and tracking micronutrients, minerals, and vitamins (13.1%), were the least common features in the apps. Table 3 The features of the included food consumption apps. # Main Categories of features n (%) Sub-Categories of Features n (%) 1 Biometrics/body composition 82(82.8) Allow entering current weight measurement? 82(82.8) Customize goal weight 50(50.2) Customize weekly weight change goal (loss/gain) 36(36.4) 2 Diet: calorie 80(80.8) Customize caloric requirement 64(64.6) Calculate daily calories allowance based on height, weight, and gender 64(64.6) Calorie counting/tracking 69(69.7) Track the history of consumed calories 17(17.2) 3 Notification, motivation, support 78(78.8) Have reminder for weight measurement 32(32.3) Have reminders to enter your daily data 44(44.4) Use personal achievements program for motivation to reach the goal 15(15.2) Join online community or friends 26(26.3) Learn from expert and coaching 15(15.2) Provide nutritional awareness 29(29.3) 4 Extras 78(78.8) Integrate/sync the apps with fitness tracking apps, or devices 35(35.4) Customize your requirements based on several types of diet 37(37.4) Diet/recipe recommendation 60(60.6) 5 Entering food-related data 70(70.7) Enter food by searching large database to search for nutrition facts 63(63.6) Enter food by picture 11(11.1) Enter food by barcode scanning 39(39.4) Create food items customize the name 34(34.3) Create meals and customize the name 29(29.3) Create recipes and customize the name 24(24.2) Food Composition Tables 3(3.0) 6 Diet: macronutrients 62(62.6) Customization macronutrients percentage 50(50.5) Calculate macronutrients requirement by gram and/or percentage 55(55.6) Tracking macronutrients 60(60.6) 7 Physical activity/calorie expenditure 61(61.6) Customize fitness goals 24(24.2) Track fitness activities 50(50.5) Track steps 22(22.2) Offer workout guides 31(31.3) 8 Diet: water, micronutrients 58(58.6) Tracking micronutrients: mineral and vitamin 13(13.1) Tracking water/liquid intake 52(52.5) n (%) = Data presented as the number and percentage Note For a total of 99 apps, these percentages were calculated based on 99 apps. Table 4 shows the correlation (cross-tabulation) results between users’ ratings and the characteristics of food consumption apps. The chi-square test results showed that there was a significant association between the apps’ ratings and the operating system ( P = .047). Only 20.2% of the iOSs had a rating of 4.6 or above, while 27.3% of the iOSs had a rating of Android. Interestingly, 31.3% of the Android apps had a rating of 4.5 or less, while only 21.2% of the iOS apps had a rating of 4.5 or less. In addition, there was a significant association between the apps’ ratings and the number of features available ( P = .007). Apps with 13 to 18 features had a rating of 4.6 and above, or 16.2%. While 14.1%. Seven to 12 features were rated 4.5 or less. There was no significant difference between app users’ ratings and the app’s main purpose, the age of the app, or the number of languages. Table 4 The relationship between a food consumption app rating of 5 and the characteristics of the app. Rating from 4.5 or less n (%) Rating from 4.6 and above n (%) P value Operating System .047 iOS 21(21.2%) 20(20.2%) Android 31(31.3%) 27(27.3%) Age .883 Less than 4 31(31.3%) 27(27.3%) 4–8 16(16.2%) 14(14.1%) 9 and more 5(5.1%) 6(6.1%) Main Purpose .135 Health and fitness 18(18.2%) 13(13.1%) Calories and food tracking 14(14.1%) 23(23.2%) Recipes and meal plans 11(11.1%) 7(7.1%) Weight loss 9(9.1%) 4(4.0%) Number of Languages .071 1–6 46(46.5%) 35(35.4%) 7 or more 6(6.1%) 12(12.1%) Number of features .007 1–6 17(17.2%) 3(3.0%) 7–12 14(14.1%) 13(13.1%) 13–18 13(13.1%) 16(16.2%) 19 and more 8(8.1%) 15(15.2%) n (%) = Data presented as the number and percentage 4. Discussion This scoping review was conducted to identify, evaluate, and examine individual food consumption apps in a systematic manner. This review is the first scooping review of food consumption mobile apps in Saudi Arabia, providing a comprehensive assessment of the market to identify the most common food consumption apps and their features. To the best of our knowledge, there are no scoping reviews in the literature assessing food consumption apps that were conducted in Saudi Arabia. A total of 99 apps were included in the review: 41 from the app store (iOS) and 58 from the Android platform (Google Play). Only six applications appeared in both systems during the search. These are MyFitnessPal, Lose it, Calorie Counter, Carb Manager, Cronometer - nutrition tracker, and HealthifyMe. Some food consumption apps are used globally, such as MyFitnessPal and Lose it, but others are regional or local, such as (أسلوب حياة ، حميتي). Previous studies with similar aims examined a range of 23–51 apps [ 11 ] [ 19 ]; however, only one study had a larger sample than ours (393 apps) [ 13 ]. In this review, nine different keywords were used to search for app stores to identify relevant food consumption apps. The highest number of apps appeared when “weight” and “nutrition” were searched for key terms. Similarly, other studies have shown that searching for “weight loss” and “weight” generated the largest number of results [ 13 ],[ 20 ]. Looking at the main purpose of the apps, we found that more than a third of the apps targeted “calories and food tracking,” followed by “health and fitness”, “recipes and meal plans,” and “weight loss.” In another study, they looked at the purpose from a targeted health behaviors perspective and found that 48% of the apps targeted diet and 72% of the apps targeted physical activity [ 21 ]. Villasana et al. classified the purpose of apps as diet and nutrition, health, education, or physical activity. Fifty-two percent of the apps were related to “diet and nutrition”, 25% were related to “health”, 11% were related to “education”, and 12% were related to “physical activity” [ 22 ]. These differences might be due to the exclusion criteria used in this review, which involved excluding any app that exclusively targeted physical activity, general health, or education. Thus, we had limited apps available for these purposes. Looking at the number of downloads, this review showed that more than a third of the apps were downloaded 10,001 to 1000,000 times. Villasana et al. reported similar results; 29% of the App downloads were 100,000, and 30% were downloaded 1000,000 [ 22 ]. This review focused on the user’s rating as one of the main variables. During our search in app stores, we did not filter our search by rating. Thus, all apps that appeared in our search, regardless of their rating, were included. However, most apps—regardless of their operating system—had a high rating; 47.5% of the apps in the sample had a rating of 4.5 or above out of 5, which is similar to the findings of Villasana et al., who reported that 51% of apps had a rating above 4.5 [ 22 ]. Notably, previous studies included only apps rated 4 or higher [ 19 ] [ 22 ]. The results indicated that most of the apps in the sample offered more than one language option, such as English, Arabic, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, or Japanese. The most common languages were English and Spanish. More than half (58.5%) of the apps were available in English, and 13.1% of the apps were available in both English and Arabic. No apps were available in Arabic only. The majority of the apps (80.6%) were offered 1 to 6 languages, and 10.2% of the apps were offered 7 to 12 languages. Another study conducted in Saudi Arabia focused mainly on apps offering English and Arabic languages only. They found that out of 23 apps, 12 were available only in Arabic and 7 were available in English. Only 4 apps were available in both English and Arabic [ 14 ]. Nonetheless, in our study, we only searched for English-language keywords, while Alshathri et al. used both English-speaking and Arabic-language keywords, which might explain the discrepancy. Based on the findings of this review, there was a significant association between the application’s rating and the operating system or number of features. For example, 20 applications from the IOS and 27 from the Android platform had a rating of 4.6 or above. Another study examining the rating in the App Store found that out of 23 apps, 15 apps had a rating of 4 or more, and 8 apps had a rating of less than 4 [ 14 ]. However, this review did not include Android apps. Looking at features, this review included 32 features, and the most common features available were allowing the entry of current weight measurements, calorie counting/tracking, customized caloric requirements, and tracking macronutrients. Another study showed that only 14 features have been studied. Weight or energy intake progress charts and modifiable food databases were the most common features available, followed by barcode scanners and online social support or networking [ 23 ]. This review has a few limitations. One of the aims of this review that we could not fulfill was to explore the association between rankings and the number of downloads; the iOS app store did not provide this information. Therefore, we cannot fulfill that objective. Additionally, like other studies, scoping reviews are at risk of bias from different sources, such as assessment bias and selection bias. Even if bias is not formally assessed, this does not mean that bias does not exist. This study used English key words to search for app stores, and future research could explore Arabic keywords and Arabic apps. 5. Conclusions Despite the wide range of food consumption apps available, most apps offer limited features, and the most common features allow users to use current weight measurements and calorie counting/tracking. Therefore, there is a need to introduce unique features, such as entering food by picture or barcode scanning, food composition tables, learning from experts and coaches, and tracking micronutrients, to attract more users. In addition, we found that the number of features was associated with app ratings. Notably, high ratings may increase the app's visibility; therefore, this factor should be considered by app developers when adding desirable features in the future. This fact highlights the importance of matching desirable features with available features and finding gaps is an essential step in developing national food consumption apps suitable for users in Saudi Arabia. Abbreviations BMI Body mass index WHO World Health Organization Apps Applications mHealth Apps Mobile Health Apps PRISMA-ScR Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scop-ing Reviews IOS iPhone operating system NNC National Nutrition Committee SFDA Saudi Food and Drug Authority Declarations The views expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the SFDA or its stakeholders. Guaranteeing the accuracy and validity of the data is the sole responsibility of the research team. In addition, we would like to disclose that AI was not used in any portion of the manuscript writing. Consent to publication: Not applicable. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Biomedical Ethics Research Committee of King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) (Reference No. IRBC/1082/21). We confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. Availability of data and materials: The data that support the findings of this review are available upon reasonable request. Please contact Dr. Duaa Alammari via an email: [email protected] . Competing interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. Funding: This review received no external funding. Authors’ contributions: D.A., M.A., S.A., and A.A. conceptualized and formulation the manuscript. D.A. and S.A. designed the data analysis plan. M.A. and A.A. managed the data collection and created the tables and figures. D.A. conducted the data analysis. D.A., M.A., and A.A. wrote the first draft and collated all the inputs. 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What Healthcare Professionals Think of Nutrition & Diet Apps: An International Survey. Nutrients 2020, Vol. 12, Page 2214, 12(8), 2214. https://doi.org/10.3390/NU12082214 . Jospe MR, Fairbairn KA, Green P, Perry TL. (2015). Diet App Use by Sports Dietitians: A Survey in Five Countries. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2015;3(1):E7. https://doi.org/10.2196/MHEALTH.3345 . Samoggia A, Riedel B. Assessment of nutrition-focused mobile apps’ influence on consumers’ healthy food behavior and nutrition knowledge. Food Res Int. 2020;128:108766. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOODRES.2019.108766 . Zaidan S, Roehrer E. Popular Mobile Phone Apps for Diet and Weight Loss: A Content Analysis. JMIR MHealth and UHealth. 2016;4(3). https://doi.org/10.2196/MHEALTH.5406 . Martín ISM, Fernández MG, Yurrita LC. [Mobile applications for nutrition, dietetics and healthy habits; analysis and consequences of an increasing trend]. Nutr Hosp. 2014;30(1):15–24. https://doi.org/10.3305/NH.2014.30.1.7398 . Rivera J, McPherson A, Hamilton J, Birken C, Coons M, Iyer S, Agarwal A, Lalloo C, Stinson J. Mobile Apps for Weight Management: A Scoping Review. JMIR MHealth and UHealth. 2016;4(3). https://doi.org/10.2196/MHEALTH.5115 . Alshathri DM, Alhumaimeedy AS, Al-Hudhud G, Alsaleh A, Al-Musharaf S, Aljuraiban GS. Weight Management Apps in Saudi Arabia: Evaluation of Features and Quality. JMIR MHealth and UHealth. 2020;8(10). https://doi.org/10.2196/19844 . Aljuraiban GS. Use of Weight-Management Mobile Phone Apps in Saudi Arabia: A Web-Based Survey. JMIR MHealth and UHealth. 2019;7(2). https://doi.org/10.2196/12692 . Amer SA, Bahumayim A, Shah J, Aleisa N, Hani BM, Omar DI. Prevalence and Determinants of Mobile Health Applications Usage: A National Descriptive Study. Front Public Health. 2022;10. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPUBH.2022.838509 . Alnasser AA, Alkhalifa AS, Sathiaseelan A, Marais D. What overweight women want from a weight loss app: a qualitative study on arabic women. JMIR MHealth and UHealth. 2015;3(2). https://doi.org/10.2196/MHEALTH.4409 . Tricco, A. C., Lillie, E., Zarin, W., O'Brien, K. K., Colquhoun, H., Levac, D., Moher,D., Peters, M., Horsley, T., Weeks, L., Hempel, S., Akl, E. A., Chang, C., McGowan,J., Stewart, L., Hartling, L., Aldcroft, A., Wilson, M. G., Garritty, C., Lewin, S.,… Straus, S. E. (2018). PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation. Annals of internal medicine, 169(7), 467–473. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0850. Bardus M, van Beurden SB, Smith JR, Abraham C. A review and content analysis of engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information quality, and change techniques in the most popular commercial apps for weight management. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2016;13:35. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-016-0359-9 . Nikolaou CK, Lean ME. Mobile Apps for obesity and weight management: current market characteristics. Int J Obes. 2017;41(1):200. 2Schoeppe S, Alley S, Rebar AL, Hayman M, Bray NA, Van Lippevelde W, Gnam JP, Bachert P, Direito A, Vandelanotte C. Apps to improve diet, physical activity and sedentary behavior in children and adolescents: a review of quality, features and behavior change techniques. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017;14(1):83. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0538-3 . Villasana MV, Pires IM, Sá J, Garcia NM, Zdravevski E, Chorbev I et al. Mobile applications for the promotion and support of Healthy Nutrition and physical activity habits: A systematic review, extraction of features and taxonomy proposal [Internet]. The Open Bioinformatics Journal. [cited 2021Dec22]. Available from: https://openbioinformaticsjournal.com/VOLUME/12/PAGE/50/FULLTEXT/ . Chen J, Cade JE, Allman-Farinelli M. The Most Popular Smartphone Apps for Weight Loss: A Quality Assessment. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 2015;3(4):e104. https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.4334 . Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files MultimediaAppendix1.Thedataextractionform.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-3807487","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":264737524,"identity":"aa0d2e43-da82-4dbf-bf08-853bf363f348","order_by":0,"name":"Duaa Alammari","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA7klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACNjBpwCwnAaIZG0BkAn4t/FAtxsRrkQQrYmBOnEG0FoNrpxM/VxRYp8/sP/xMgnFHHQM/e44B448aPFpu526WPGOQnjtbIs1MgvHMYQbJnjcGzDzH8GrZINlgcDh3ngSDmfTftgMMBjdyDJihwYIV2ANt+QnUki7Hf/ybBGNbHYP9DZDD/uG1ZRvIlgRphhygw9qYGQwkcgwYeNvwa7FsMEg3nDkjp9iCse0wj8SZZwWHefvwe/9mwx9reYnzxzfeADpMjr89eePDH99wa8EAPCDiAAkaRsEoGAWjYBRgAQAcd07wYJzGDwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"College of Public Health and Health Informatics - King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Duaa","middleName":"","lastName":"Alammari","suffix":""},{"id":264737525,"identity":"96a0b950-5ca4-4bb5-b0a8-1f181cffc448","order_by":1,"name":"Mayasem Alruhimi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"College of Public Health and Health Informatics - King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mayasem","middleName":"","lastName":"Alruhimi","suffix":""},{"id":264737526,"identity":"b1e7620e-2232-4524-972d-d51a65d9b550","order_by":2,"name":"Sarah Alkhunein","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"National Nutrition Committee (NNC), Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), Riyadh","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sarah","middleName":"","lastName":"Alkhunein","suffix":""},{"id":264737527,"identity":"dfd3eb2a-d6d8-4f80-8118-1cdd55ac380d","order_by":3,"name":"Aljawharah Alabdulkarim","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Aljawharah","middleName":"","lastName":"Alabdulkarim","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2023-12-26 09:59:17","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3807487/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3807487/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":49112295,"identity":"326f710f-238c-4394-be44-2e44ce578ad5","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-01-03 09:17:55","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":53592,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePRISMA flow diagram for the selection of food consumption mobile apps.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3807487/v1/a2e403889b89263ceeda77eb.png"},{"id":57018376,"identity":"a8515dac-2e0b-48c3-abe0-46bb8e78ec4d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-05-23 13:16:42","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":765195,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3807487/v1/79bab345-f8b3-4908-b489-5a604a2fc331.pdf"},{"id":49112296,"identity":"6d34f4e7-d455-4353-9cad-200f5f707183","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-01-03 09:17:55","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":13920,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"MultimediaAppendix1.Thedataextractionform.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3807487/v1/4231312e865c5c71a6addc0c.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"The Main Features of Food Consumption Mobile Apps in Saudi Arabia: A Scoping Review","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Background","content":"\u003cp\u003eObesity is a growing health problem. Since 1980, the global prevalence of overweight and obesity has doubled, and one-third of the world's population is overweight or obese [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is defined as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that may cause harm to human health [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Several diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, are associated with obesity [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. In addition, the consumption of foods high in fat and sugar is a modifiable risk factor associated with the risk of developing diet-related noncommunicable diseases [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Self-monitoring for food intake is considered one of the methods that can aid in weight control as a cornerstone behavioral treatment for obesity and several noncommunicable diseases. Fruit intake self-monitoring can be performed using traditional paper-based methods or technology-based methods [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTechnology-based methods for tracking daily food consumption are increasing considerably due to technological advances. These methods include the use of food consumption mobile apps and other self-monitoring digital tools, which may result in weight loss and management [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. Food consumption apps are used to track daily food consumption by recording all foods and beverages consumed during the day and then providing an overall estimation of energy, macro, and micronutrient contents [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. Some specialists believe that the use of food consumption apps is more accurate than traditional methods (such as a diet record) for tracking the diet due to the immediate entry of dietary records after eating, and this approach reduces dependency on memory [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. In addition, there are numerous benefits of using food consumption apps, including lower costs, increased awareness of healthy eating, and easier food consumption tracking, compared to other methods [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFood consumption apps are popular locally and globally. In global studies, 51 apps were found to be popular in Australia [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e], 95 apps in Europe [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e], and approximately 300 apps in the U.S. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e]. Looking at local studies, a study done by Alshathri et al. (2020), the results showed that a total of 60 apps were identified from the search in the Saudi app stores and they demonstrated that approximately 30% of participants had used weight management apps, and the most common reason for users to download these apps was to monitor food intake (37%)[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. These findings are consistent with those of another web-based questionnaire study conducted by Aljuraiban GS. According to (2019), one of the most common reasons for users to download weight-management apps was to manage weight among both overweight or obese individuals and to monitor food intake in normal-weight individuals [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, A Study found that improvement of health status and weight reduction are the main reasons for using mHealth Apps in Saudi Arabia [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe features of apps play a vital role in their usage patterns. Several studies have focused on identifying the common desirable features of food consumption apps. In 2015, a qualitative study was conducted by Alnasser AA et al. to learn more about the proposed features of an Arabic weight loss app by interviewing overweight and obese Saudi users. The Arabic language, motivational support and social networking, nutritional and physical activity tools, and user-friendly interfaces emerged as recommendations for an ideal weight loss app [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, the potential to be supervised by a specialist, identify nutritional value through barcodes, obtain nutritional information on food items, and provide periodic reports that include progress updates and continuous reminders to follow a diet or physical activity plan are common desirable features of diet apps [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, there is growing research on the perspectives of users in Saudi Arabia about the desirable features of apps that monitor food consumption and the reasons for users to download these apps. Notably, their perspective and desires may vary from those of other societies. There are no available scoping reviews focusing on exploring the features of available food consumption apps in Saudi app stores\u0026mdash;to the best of the authors\u0026rsquo; knowledge. This fact highlights the importance of conducting a scoping review to identify the scope of prominent food consumption apps and the most common features, which helps to match desirable features with available features and identify gaps as an essential step in developing national food consumption apps suitable for users in Saudi Arabia.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTherefore, this scoping review aimed to identify the scope of prominent food consumption mobile apps across two major commercial app stores (Apple iOS and Google Play) and to determine the primary purpose, key features, language options, subscription options, user ratings, and number of downloads to understand the local context.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1 Study design\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis scoping review was conducted using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e]. To identify the scope of prominent food consumption mobile apps across two commercial app stores (Apple iOS and Google Play) in Saudi Arabia and to determine the main features of the apps systematically.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2 Apps search strategy\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn electronic search was conducted between July 2021 and October 2021 to collect data relevant to food consumption across two major commercial app stores, the iPhone operating system (Apple iOS) and the Android system (Google Play). First, two reviewers independently searched for articles in each store using the English search terms related to food consumption. Keywords included \u0026ldquo;weight\u0026rdquo;, \u0026ldquo;weight management\u0026rdquo;, \u0026ldquo;weight loss\u0026rdquo;, \u0026ldquo;nutrition\u0026rdquo;, \u0026ldquo;diet\u0026rdquo;, \u0026ldquo;dietary\u0026rdquo;, \u0026ldquo;body weight\u0026rdquo;, \u0026ldquo;calorie count\u0026rdquo;, and \u0026ldquo;weight loss\u0026rdquo;. No search filters were used to find a large number of apps within the designated time frame. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e displays the methodology used in this scoping review.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll food consumption mobile apps available on at least one of Saudi Arabia's app stores for the iPhone (Apple iOS) or the Android (Google Play) with the primary purpose of tracking individual food consumption were included. All apps unavailable on Google Play or Apple iOS stores in Saudi Arabia were excluded. In addition, apps that did not track food consumption, such as fitness or workout apps, were also excluded.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3 App selection\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe app selection process was performed in two phases, as shown in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003ePhase 1. Initial screening\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the first phase, two reviewers independently screened all the apps found during the search process. The initial number of mobile apps that met the review inclusion criteria was 610 for the iPhone (Apple iOS) and 328 for the Android (Google Play) phone. The initial screening process involved removing duplicate apps; 265 apps were duplicated for the iPhone (Apple iOS), and 105 were duplicated for the Android (Google Play). A total of 345 mobile apps were available after the initial screening: one from the iPhone (Apple iOS) and 223 from the Android (Google Play).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003ePhase 2. Final screening\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the second phase, the first ten displayed apps from each keyword search (after removing the duplicated apps) were selected. Several search terms had fewer than ten results; in that case, all the apps were included. A total of 41 apps were included in the iPhone (Apple iOS), and 58 apps were included in the Android (Google Play) for a total of 99 apps in this review. It is worth noting that apps that appeared on both app stores were added twice (one for Google Play and one for Apple iOS) to account for various features supported by two different mobile operating systems.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.4 Data extraction\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe data extraction form was created using Microsoft Excel. The collected data included the following: app name, date of search, name of reviewers, app store (operating system), keyword, age, developer, main purpose, number of downloads (only available for the Android), rating, premium subscription option, languages, and number of features (see Appendix 1) for the full extraction form.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.5 Feature inventory\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA list of feature inventories was created via deductive analysis by identifying the features in the most popular apps. The three most common apps that appeared in the search multiple times in both the Apple iOS and Google Play systems were selected. These apps are \u0026ldquo;MyFitnessPal,\u0026rdquo; \u0026ldquo;Lose It,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Calorie Counter,\u0026rdquo; which appeared when searching six to seven keywords.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThese apps were reviewed independently using each operating system. All the features of these three apps were listed from both operating systems. A total of 32 features were listed and then categorized into eight main categories (themes). This list was used as a feature inventory to compare the number of available features in the sample of apps. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e shows the full themes and features.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe themes and features that were extracted from the three most common food consumption apps in both the Apple iOS and Google Play stores.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"2\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThemes/Categories\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeatures\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBiometrics/body Composition\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAllow entering current weight measurement?\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCustomize goal weight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCustomize weekly weight change goal (loss/gain)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDiet: Caloric\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCustomize caloric requirement\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalculate daily calories allowance based on height, weight, and gender\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalorie counting/tracking\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrack the history of consumed calories\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDiet: Macronutrients\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCustomization macronutrients percentage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalculate macronutrients requirement by gram and/or percentage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking macronutrients\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDiet: Micronutrients, and Water\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking micronutrients: mineral and vitamin\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking water/liquid intake\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEntering Food-related Data\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnter food by searching large database to search for nutrition facts\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnter food by picture\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnter food by barcode scanning\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreate food items customize the name\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreate meals and customize the name\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreate recipes and customize the name\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFood Composition Tables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePhysical activity/Calorie Expenditure\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCustomize fitness goals\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrack fitness activities\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrack steps\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOffer workout guides\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNotification, Motivation, Support\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHave reminder for weight measurement\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHave reminders to enter your daily data\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse personal achievements program for motivation to reach the goal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJoin online community or friends\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLearn from expert and coaching\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide nutritional awareness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eExtras\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntegrate/sync the apps with fitness tracking apps, or devices\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCustomize your requirements based on several types of diet\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiet/recipe recommendation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTwo reviewers examined a total of 99 apps independently by trying the apps themselves to identify if the apps had any of the 32 features and 8 themes (yes or no). If the app had at least one subcategory (features), it was considered to have the theme or category. The decision was made when both reviewers agreed, and all discrepancies were resolved through discussion with a third reviewer.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.6 Statistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe data analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics version 16.0. The data are presented as frequencies and proportions and were analyzed via descriptive statistical analysis. In addition, crosstabulation analysis was performed using the chi-square test to explore the association between two categorical variables, with P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.05 and 95% CI indicating statistical significance.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.7 Ethical considerations\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Biomedical Ethics Research Committee of King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) (Reference No. IRBC/1082/21). We confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eA total of 99 apps were included in this review after a full search and screening between July and October 2021. Forty-one (41.4%) apps were from the iOS store, and 58 (58.6%) apps were from the Google Play store. However, only six apps appeared in both systems when searching: MyFitnessPal, Lose it, Calorie Counter, Carb Manager, Cronometer - Nutrition tracker, and Healthifyme.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e shows the characteristics of the food consumption apps. The highest number of apps was found when the keyword \u0026ldquo;nutrition\u0026rdquo; was used (26.3%), followed by \u0026ldquo;weight\u0026rdquo; (21.2%). The keywords \u0026ldquo;weight loss\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;body weight\u0026rdquo; generated the least number of search results, 2% and 1%, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe characteristics of the included food consumption apps (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;99).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCategories\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOperating system\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eiOS store\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41(41.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAndroid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58(58.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKeywords\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21(21.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeight Management\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13(13.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeight lose\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2(2.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNutrition\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26(26.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiet\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17(17.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDietary\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6(6.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBody Weight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(1.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalorie Counter\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4(4.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLose weight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9(9.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eless than 4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58(58.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u0026ndash;8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30(30.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 and more\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11(11.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMain Purpose\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ehealth \u0026amp; fitness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31(31.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ecalories and food tracking\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37(37.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003erecipes and meal plans\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18(18.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eweight loss\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13(13.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e# of Downloads\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41(41.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1000 to 10,000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7(7.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10,0001 to 100,000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19(19.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100,001 to 1000,000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17(17.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1000,001 and higher\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15(15.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRating\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.5 or less\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52(52.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.6 and above\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47(47.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSubscription free\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e99(100)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e# of Languages\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u0026ndash;6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81(81.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7 or more\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18(18.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e# of Features\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u0026ndash;6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18(18.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u0026ndash;12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27(27.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13\u0026ndash;18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29(29.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19 and more\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23(23.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"3\"\u003en (%)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Data presented as numbers and percentages\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe also grouped apps according to their main purpose into four categories. We found that the highest proportion of apps were intended for calories, food tracking, and health and fitness (37.4% and 31.3%, respectively).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking at users\u0026rsquo; ratings of apps, high ratings may increase the app's visibility and ranking. Slightly more than half of the apps (52.5%) were rated \u0026ldquo;4.5 or less\u0026rdquo;, and 47.5% of the apps were rated \u0026ldquo;4.6 and above\u0026rdquo;. Most of the apps offered more than one language, 80.8% of which offered 1 to 6 language options, and 10.1% of the apps offered 7 to 12 languages. In addition, all the apps had an option for additional app purchases or a premium subscription fee. Looking at the number of downloads, the iOS system does not provide this information. Therefore, we were only able to extract the information for the Android system. Only 19.2% of the apps had 10,0001 to 100,000 downloads, and 17.2% had 100,001 to 1000,000 downloads.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe identified common features available in food consumption apps and categorized them according to their characteristics. A total of 32 features were listed under eight themes/categories (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Our results indicated that 29.3% of the apps had 13 to 18 features, 27.3% had 7 to 12 features, and 23.2% had 19\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;features. However, 18.2% of the apps had 1 to 6 features. The features of the apps were grouped into themes/categories (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e shows the percentages of apps in each category. Most of the apps had features such as biometrics/body composition (82.8%) and diet/calorie (80.8%). The least common category was diet: micronutrients and water (58.6%). The features of the subcategories were also examined. The most common feature is allowing the entry of current weight measurements (82.8%), followed by calorie counting/tracking (69.7%), customized caloric requirements and calculation of daily caloric allowances (64.6%), and tracking macronutrients (60.6%). Food composition tables (3%), entering food by a picture (11.1%), and tracking micronutrients, minerals, and vitamins (13.1%), were the least common features in the apps.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe features of the included food consumption apps.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e#\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMain Categories of features\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSub-Categories of Features\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiometrics/body composition\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82(82.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAllow entering current weight measurement?\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82(82.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCustomize goal weight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50(50.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCustomize weekly weight change goal (loss/gain)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36(36.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiet: calorie\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80(80.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCustomize caloric requirement\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64(64.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalculate daily calories allowance based on height, weight, and gender\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64(64.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalorie counting/tracking\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e69(69.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrack the history of consumed calories\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17(17.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNotification, motivation, support\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78(78.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHave reminder for weight measurement\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32(32.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHave reminders to enter your daily data\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44(44.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse personal achievements program for motivation to reach the goal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15(15.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJoin online community or friends\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26(26.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLearn from expert and coaching\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15(15.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide nutritional awareness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29(29.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExtras\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78(78.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntegrate/sync the apps with fitness tracking apps, or devices\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35(35.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCustomize your requirements based on several types of diet\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37(37.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiet/recipe recommendation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60(60.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEntering food-related data\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70(70.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnter food by searching large database to search for nutrition facts\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63(63.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnter food by picture\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11(11.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnter food by barcode scanning\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39(39.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreate food items customize the name\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34(34.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreate meals and customize the name\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29(29.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreate recipes and customize the name\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24(24.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFood Composition Tables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3(3.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiet: macronutrients\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62(62.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCustomization macronutrients percentage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50(50.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalculate macronutrients requirement by gram and/or percentage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55(55.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking macronutrients\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60(60.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhysical activity/calorie expenditure\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61(61.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCustomize fitness goals\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24(24.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrack fitness activities\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50(50.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrack steps\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22(22.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOffer workout guides\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31(31.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiet: water, micronutrients\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58(58.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking micronutrients: mineral and vitamin\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13(13.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTracking water/liquid intake\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52(52.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en (%)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Data presented as the number and percentage\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNote\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor a total of 99 apps, these percentages were calculated based on 99 apps.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e shows the correlation (cross-tabulation) results between users\u0026rsquo; ratings and the characteristics of food consumption apps. The chi-square test results showed that there was a significant association between the apps\u0026rsquo; ratings and the operating system (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.047). Only 20.2% of the iOSs had a rating of 4.6 or above, while 27.3% of the iOSs had a rating of Android. Interestingly, 31.3% of the Android apps had a rating of 4.5 or less, while only 21.2% of the iOS apps had a rating of 4.5 or less. In addition, there was a significant association between the apps\u0026rsquo; ratings and the number of features available (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.007). Apps with 13 to 18 features had a rating of 4.6 and above, or 16.2%. While 14.1%. Seven to 12 features were rated 4.5 or less. There was no significant difference between app users\u0026rsquo; ratings and the app\u0026rsquo;s main purpose, the age of the app, or the number of languages.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe relationship between a food consumption app rating of 5 and the characteristics of the app.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRating from\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.5 or less\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRating from\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.6 and above\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOperating System\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.047\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eiOS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21(21.2%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20(20.2%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAndroid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31(31.3%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27(27.3%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.883\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLess than 4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31(31.3%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27(27.3%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u0026ndash;8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16(16.2%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14(14.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 and more\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5(5.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6(6.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMain Purpose\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.135\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHealth and fitness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18(18.2%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13(13.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalories and food tracking\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14(14.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23(23.2%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecipes and meal plans\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11(11.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7(7.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeight loss\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9(9.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4(4.0%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNumber of Languages\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.071\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u0026ndash;6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46(46.5%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35(35.4%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7 or more\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6(6.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12(12.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNumber of features\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.007\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u0026ndash;6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17(17.2%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3(3.0%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u0026ndash;12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14(14.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13(13.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13\u0026ndash;18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13(13.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16(16.2%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19 and more\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8(8.1%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15(15.2%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en (%)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Data presented as the number and percentage\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"4. Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003e This scoping review was conducted to identify, evaluate, and examine individual food consumption apps in a systematic manner. This review is the first scooping review of food consumption mobile apps in Saudi Arabia, providing a comprehensive assessment of the market to identify the most common food consumption apps and their features. To the best of our knowledge, there are no scoping reviews in the literature assessing food consumption apps that were conducted in Saudi Arabia.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA total of 99 apps were included in the review: 41 from the app store (iOS) and 58 from the Android platform (Google Play). Only six applications appeared in both systems during the search. These are MyFitnessPal, Lose it, Calorie Counter, Carb Manager, Cronometer - nutrition tracker, and HealthifyMe. Some food consumption apps are used globally, such as MyFitnessPal and Lose it, but others are regional or local, such as (أسلوب حياة ، حميتي). Previous studies with similar aims examined a range of 23\u0026ndash;51 apps [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e] [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e]; however, only one study had a larger sample than ours (393 apps) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e]. In this review, nine different keywords were used to search for app stores to identify relevant food consumption apps. The highest number of apps appeared when \u0026ldquo;weight\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;nutrition\u0026rdquo; were searched for key terms. Similarly, other studies have shown that searching for \u0026ldquo;weight loss\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;weight\u0026rdquo; generated the largest number of results [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e],[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking at the main purpose of the apps, we found that more than a third of the apps targeted \u0026ldquo;calories and food tracking,\u0026rdquo; followed by \u0026ldquo;health and fitness\u0026rdquo;, \u0026ldquo;recipes and meal plans,\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;weight loss.\u0026rdquo; In another study, they looked at the purpose from a targeted health behaviors perspective and found that 48% of the apps targeted diet and 72% of the apps targeted physical activity [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. Villasana et al. classified the purpose of apps as diet and nutrition, health, education, or physical activity. Fifty-two percent of the apps were related to \u0026ldquo;diet and nutrition\u0026rdquo;, 25% were related to \u0026ldquo;health\u0026rdquo;, 11% were related to \u0026ldquo;education\u0026rdquo;, and 12% were related to \u0026ldquo;physical activity\u0026rdquo; [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. These differences might be due to the exclusion criteria used in this review, which involved excluding any app that exclusively targeted physical activity, general health, or education. Thus, we had limited apps available for these purposes.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking at the number of downloads, this review showed that more than a third of the apps were downloaded 10,001 to 1000,000 times. Villasana et al. reported similar results; 29% of the App downloads were 100,000, and 30% were downloaded 1000,000 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis review focused on the user\u0026rsquo;s rating as one of the main variables. During our search in app stores, we did not filter our search by rating. Thus, all apps that appeared in our search, regardless of their rating, were included. However, most apps\u0026mdash;regardless of their operating system\u0026mdash;had a high rating; 47.5% of the apps in the sample had a rating of 4.5 or above out of 5, which is similar to the findings of Villasana et al., who reported that 51% of apps had a rating above 4.5 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. Notably, previous studies included only apps rated 4 or higher [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e] [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results indicated that most of the apps in the sample offered more than one language option, such as English, Arabic, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, or Japanese. The most common languages were English and Spanish. More than half (58.5%) of the apps were available in English, and 13.1% of the apps were available in both English and Arabic. No apps were available in Arabic only. The majority of the apps (80.6%) were offered 1 to 6 languages, and 10.2% of the apps were offered 7 to 12 languages. Another study conducted in Saudi Arabia focused mainly on apps offering English and Arabic languages only. They found that out of 23 apps, 12 were available only in Arabic and 7 were available in English. Only 4 apps were available in both English and Arabic [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. Nonetheless, in our study, we only searched for English-language keywords, while Alshathri et al. used both English-speaking and Arabic-language keywords, which might explain the discrepancy.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBased on the findings of this review, there was a significant association between the application\u0026rsquo;s rating and the operating system or number of features. For example, 20 applications from the IOS and 27 from the Android platform had a rating of 4.6 or above. Another study examining the rating in the App Store found that out of 23 apps, 15 apps had a rating of 4 or more, and 8 apps had a rating of less than 4 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. However, this review did not include Android apps.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking at features, this review included 32 features, and the most common features available were allowing the entry of current weight measurements, calorie counting/tracking, customized caloric requirements, and tracking macronutrients. Another study showed that only 14 features have been studied. Weight or energy intake progress charts and modifiable food databases were the most common features available, followed by barcode scanners and online social support or networking [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis review has a few limitations. One of the aims of this review that we could not fulfill was to explore the association between rankings and the number of downloads; the iOS app store did not provide this information. Therefore, we cannot fulfill that objective. Additionally, like other studies, scoping reviews are at risk of bias from different sources, such as assessment bias and selection bias. Even if bias is not formally assessed, this does not mean that bias does not exist. This study used English key words to search for app stores, and future research could explore Arabic keywords and Arabic apps.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"5. Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eDespite the wide range of food consumption apps available, most apps offer limited features, and the most common features allow users to use current weight measurements and calorie counting/tracking. Therefore, there is a need to introduce unique features, such as entering food by picture or barcode scanning, food composition tables, learning from experts and coaches, and tracking micronutrients, to attract more users. In addition, we found that the number of features was associated with app ratings. Notably, high ratings may increase the app's visibility; therefore, this factor should be considered by app developers when adding desirable features in the future. This fact highlights the importance of matching desirable features with available features and finding gaps is an essential step in developing national food consumption apps suitable for users in Saudi Arabia.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":" \u003cp\u003eBMI Body mass index\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWHO World Health Organization\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eApps Applications\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003emHealth Apps Mobile Health Apps\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e PRISMA-ScR Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scop-ing Reviews\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIOS iPhone operating system\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNNC National Nutrition Committee\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSFDA Saudi Food and Drug Authority\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe views expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the SFDA or its stakeholders. Guaranteeing the accuracy and validity of the data is\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;sole responsibility of the research team. In addition, we would like to disclose that AI was not used in any portion of the manuscript writing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to publication:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate:\u003c/strong\u003e The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Biomedical Ethics Research Committee of King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) (Reference No. IRBC/1082/21). We confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials:\u003c/strong\u003e The data that support the findings of this review are available upon reasonable request. Please contact Dr. Duaa Alammari via an email: [email protected].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests:\u003c/strong\u003e The authors have no\u0026nbsp;conflicts\u0026nbsp;of interest to declare.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding:\u003c/strong\u003e This review received no external funding.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026rsquo; contributions:\u003c/strong\u003e D.A., M.A., S.A., and A.A.\u0026nbsp;conceptualized\u0026nbsp;and formulation the manuscript. D.A. and S.A. designed the data analysis plan. M.A. and A.A. managed the data collection and created the tables and figures. D.A. conducted the data analysis. D.A., M.A., and A.A. wrote the first draft and collated all the inputs. D.A. and S.A. prepared and edited the manuscript according to publication criteria. All\u0026nbsp;authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe authors would like to thank Dr. Majid M. AlKhalaf and Mr. Omar A. Alhumaidan from the National Nutrition Committee (NNC) in the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) for supporting this review by creating the idea and reviewing this research.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChooi YC, Ding C, Magkos F. The epidemiology of obesity. Metab Clin Exp. 2019;92:6\u0026ndash;10. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1016/J.METABOL.2018.09.005\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1016/J.METABOL.2018.09.005\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorld Health Organization. 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JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 2015;3(4):e104. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.4334\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.2196/mhealth.4334\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"apps, weight, weight management, weight loss, nutrition, diet, dietary, body weight, caloric count, weight loss, food consumption","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3807487/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3807487/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFood consumption apps seem to be supportive digital tools for facilitating weight management and facilitating healthier eating habits. There is a wide variety of food consumption apps available; however, there is limited evidence that determines the main features of these apps. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the scope of prominent food consumption mobile apps across two commercial app stores (Apple iOS and Google Play) and to determine the main features of the apps systematically.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis scoping review was conducted across the Apple iOS and Google Play Stories in three steps: (1) an electronic app search, (2) the extraction of data, and (3) the analysis of app characteristics and features.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA total of 99 apps were included, 41 (41%) of which were from the iOS store and 58 (59%) of which were from the Google Play store. Approximately 52% of the apps were rated \u0026ldquo;4.5 or less\u0026rdquo;, and 48% of the apps were rated \u0026ldquo;4.6 and above\u0026rdquo;. Most of the apps offered more than one language, 81% of which provided 1 to 6 languages, and only 10.1% of the apps offered 7 to 12 languages. We identified a total of 23 features; 29% of the apps had 13 to 18 features, 27% of the apps had 7 to 12 features, and 23% of the apps had 19\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;features. In contrast, 18.2% of the apps had 1 to 6 features.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings of this review indicate that while a wide range of food consumption apps are available, most apps offer limited features. Therefore, there is a need to introduce unique features, such as entering food by picture or barcode scanning, food composition tables, and tracking of micronutrients, to attract more users. In addition, the number of features was shown to be associated with app ratings. Notably, high ratings may increase the app's visibility; therefore, this factor should be considered by app developers when adding desirable features in the future.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"The Main Features of Food Consumption Mobile Apps in Saudi Arabia: A Scoping Review","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-01-03 09:17:51","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3807487/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"6b2f9c5f-fed2-46cf-8d92-2b9794484b6e","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 3rd, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2024-05-23T13:08:35+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-01-03 09:17:51","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-3807487","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-3807487","identity":"rs-3807487","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}