Benefits include improved physical activity, diet, and weight outcomes for children and teens<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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TUESDAY, Dec. 2, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Health apps, wearables, and interactive programs can help improve physical activity, diet, and weight outcomes for children and teens, according to a study published online Oct. 17 in the Journal of Medical Internet Research<\/em>.<\/p>\n Ben Singh, Ph.D., from University of South Australia in Adelaide, and colleagues conducted a systematic umbrella review and meta\u2013meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of eHealth and mHealth interventions in promoting healthy behaviors among children and adolescents.<\/p>\n Based on 25 systematic reviews (440 randomized controlled trials and 133,501 participants), the researchers found standardized mean difference (SMD) showed significant effects (all P < 0.05) for moderate to vigorous physical activity (SMD, 0.18; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.09 to 0.27), total physical activity (SMD, 0.24; 95 percent CI, 0.13 to 0.35), fat intake (SMD, 0.10; 95 percent CI, 0.02 to 0.18), fruit and vegetable intake (SMD, 0.11; 95 percent CI, 0.00 to 0.22), body mass index (SMD, 0.19; 95 percent CI, 0.11 to 0.27), and body weight (SMD, 0.15; 95 percent CI, 0.01 to 0.30). eHealth and mHealth interventions had no effects on sedentary behavior (SMD, 0.12; 95 percent CI, \u22120.11 to 0.35) or sleep (SMD, 0.27; 95 percent CI, \u22120.09 to 0.63). Interventions lasting less than eight weeks had a greater effect on moderate to vigorous physical activity than those lasting eight weeks or more. Interventions lasting 12 weeks or longer had a greater effect on body mass index than shorter interventions.<\/p>\n “By integrating evidence-based apps and wearables into schools, primary care and community programs, we can make healthy habits more appealing and accessible for young people,” Singh said in a statement.<\/p>\n