Given the large-scale creation of nutrition-oriented applications and the dissemination of
information to persuade the population to use these tools, this review aimed to characterize
the functionalities of mobile nutrition applications aimed at weight loss. For this, 50
mobile health and fitness apps were downloaded from the Google Play Store for the
Android smartphones of one of the authors. Following the use of the 50 applications, ten
mobile applications were selected based on eligibility criteria related to nutritional
assistance. The features were checked and compared as present and absent, and broken
down for paid functions, were also characterized and described according to their operation
in the applications. Depending on the results, only Fast Secret and Calorie Counter -
Easyfit are free and the maximum price of the paid functions corresponds to three
consultations with a nutritionist. The main functionalities that assist the nutritionist are:
Body Mass Index, reminders and alerts for water and food consumption, insertion of
anthropometric measurements, calculation of caloric expenditure in physical activities and
energy needs, record of food consumption, analysis of macronutrients, calorie counters and
online technical support, which needs a standardization in order to promote ethical
character. The usability of the applications although important, however, does not interfere
in the characterization of the functionalities to assist the nutritionist. The combination of
functions adds credibility and proficiency to the nutritionist's assistance in working with
applications. The study offers character of accomplishment of an ideal application,
following the professional ethics and nutrition supervision, as well as alert on the
possibility of creating laws and norms for this new scenario of applications and nutritionist.
O Yazio - Calorie Counter is the best application classified in the comparability of
functionalities, it is the indicated to assist the nutritionist in the performance and
relationship with the patient-user to promote practicality of care.
|
