Using Computer-Tailored Technology to Promote Physical Activity and Healthy Eating: A Review of the Literature and Asian-Pacific Evidence

Abstract

This chapter reviews the scientific literature on computer-tailored intervention for healthy adults that targeted both physical activity and healthy eating. Systematic literature searches were performed using two databases: PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Articles published in scientific journals were included if they evaluated an intervention for both physical activity and healthy eating, or focused on weight loss, used a randomized design, and measured outcomes after a follow-up period. As a result, 21 publications were identified. Computer-tailored interventions were superior to no intervention. It is unclear whether adding different components to the intervention increases the behavior change. Improving methodological quality of the intervention is needed. Computer-tailored technologies have dramatically grown in the past decade and may have promise in multiple-behavior interventions for health.