Systematic Review Explores Digital Tools for Promoting Healthy and Sustainable Eating

Digital Tools Show Short-Term Promise for Sustainable Eating, Review Finds

A recent systematic review published in Nutrients investigated the effectiveness of digital technologies in promoting healthier and more sustainable eating habits within the general population. The review synthesized evidence from 16 empirical studies, following PRISMA guidelines, to assess the impact of these interventions.

Importance of Sustainable Diets

A proper food system is crucial for both public health and environmental sustainability. Diets high in animal-based and ultra-processed foods contribute to chronic illnesses and environmental issues, including increased greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. The "One Health" approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health, highlighting the need for sustainable food systems.

Shifting towards plant-based and flexitarian diets can improve health outcomes, reduce emissions, and lessen harm to animals.

Promoting sustainable eating habits requires a holistic perspective, as not all sustainability-focused diets are inherently healthy. Such diets should provide adequate nutrition, minimize environmental impact, and support overall well-being. Adopting these habits is challenging due to cognitive, social, and cultural barriers.

Review Characteristics

The review focused on evaluating digital technologies for promoting healthy and sustainable dietary behaviors, categorizing psychological factors and behavioral strategies within these interventions. Researchers sourced literature from PsycInfo, PsycArticles, PubMed, and ProQuest.

The 16 included studies varied significantly in design, with 56% being randomized controlled trials and 50% non-controlled. Only 31% included follow-up assessments, typically lasting 1–4 weeks, with no studies extending beyond 3 months. Sample sizes differed, with mobile app studies generally having larger samples. Most participants were healthy, non-vegetarian adults, with 31% being university students.

Approximately 69% of studies used ad hoc questionnaires or interviews to assess outcomes, while 29% used standardized psychometric scales. Research quality varied, with 44% rated strong, 25% moderate, and 31% weak, primarily due to short or absent follow-up periods, small sample sizes, and risks of bias. More than 50% of the studies did not control for confounding variables.

Inconsistent terminology for "sustainable diets" and a focus on isolated aspects (e.g., meat reduction) rather than multidimensional eating also challenged the synthesis.

Impact of Digital Interventions

The study found that digital tools employing diverse psychological and behavioral strategies can yield promising short-term improvements in dietary practices. Due to heterogeneity in study designs and settings, a meta-analysis was not feasible.

Technologies like smartphone apps, web platforms, and virtual reality (VR) encourage positive change by enhancing information accessibility and engagement. Many interventions utilized psychological techniques such as gamification and nudging to support conscious, sustainable choices. Smartphone apps and VR platforms were frequently used and linked to short-term positive effects, particularly in reducing red and processed meat intake, increasing plant-based food choices, and improving food-related awareness. However, the long-term magnitude and durability of these effects remain uncertain due to short follow-up periods.

Self-monitoring features, common in smartphone apps, allowed tracking dietary behavior and progress. VR and web platforms often targeted self-efficacy, building user confidence through immersive feedback and real-time visualization of health or environmental impacts. Awareness was the most frequently targeted construct, often through educational content, gamification, or interactive experiences. Digital tools also assisted decision-making via eco-scores, feedback, and motivational messages.

While digital tools show promise for positive short-term dietary changes, their long-term magnitude and durability remain uncertain due to the brief follow-up periods of current research.

Conclusion

The review highlights that digital tools show potential in helping individuals make more sustainable food choices, especially when incorporating feedback, engaging content, and step-by-step guidance. However, the evidence primarily reflects short-term behavioral shifts rather than sustained change. The authors emphasize the need for more rigorous, longitudinal, theory-driven, and standardized research to clarify the long-term effectiveness and comparative impact of these technologies.