Persian Mobile Applications for Dietary Management: A Quality Assessment Using Mobile Application Rating Scale

Background: With the rising prevalence of dietary-related health issues, effective mobile tools are essential for aiding users in managing their nutrition. So, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of Persian mobile applications (apps) designed for dietary management using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS).Methods: A systematic search identified ۳۴۰ applications from CaféBazaar and Google Play stores. Applying specific inclusion criteria, ۱۳ apps focusing on dietary management and calorie counting were selected for analysis. Each app’s features, user ratings, and functionalities were evaluated.Results: The analysis revealed that most apps (۹۲.۳%) received user ratings above ۴ stars, and only one app was entirely free. Collaboration with nutritionists was noted in ۲۳% of the apps. Features included online dietary regimens (۷۷%), calorie counting (۷۷%), and physical activity recommendations (۶۹.۲%). The MARS evaluation showed an overall mean score ranging from ۲.۹۴ to ۴.۰۲, with Mankan achieving the highest score (۴.۰۲). Functionality scored the highest among the subscales (۳.۹۳), followed by aesthetics (۳.۷۸) and engagement (۳.۳۲).Conclusion: Persian mobile diet management apps showed acceptable technical and visual quality; but lacked evidence-based content and interactive features. It seems that collaboration with nutrition experts and enhancing research-based content is crucial to improve their long-term effectiveness.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mobile Applications ، Persian ، Dietary management ، quality ، Mobile application rating scale