Digital Health Interventions Increase Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends digital health and telephone interventions in community settings, worksites, and institutions of higher education to increase healthy eating and physical activity among adults interested in improving these behaviors. The recommendations are based on systematic reviews of evidence that were specific to each setting and showed favorable results.

What are digital health and telephone interventions?

These interventions aim to increase healthy eating and physical activity using websites, mobile apps, text messages, emails, or one-on-one telephone calls. Interventions vary by setting and include a combination of coaching or counseling with trained professionals, self-monitoring to record health behaviors, goal setting, computer-generated feedback that provides tailored information, or educational resources. Some also include social support from peers or motivational strategies such as incentives, rewards, and gaming techniques.

Why is this important?

Eating well and being physically active lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.^1,2
Only 12% of adults eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables daily, and half of U.S. adults get the recommended amounts of physical activity.^3,4
In the United States, 90% of adults use the internet, and more than 80% have access to a smartphone.^5,6

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CPSTF recommends digital health and telephone interventions in community settings, worksites, and institutions of higher education to increase healthy eating and physical activity among adults interested in improving these behaviors. #ActivePeople https://www.thecommunityguide.org/content/cpstf-recommends-digital-health-interventions-increase-healthy-eating-and-physical-activity
In community settings, digital health and telephone interventions improve healthy eating and physical activity among adults who are interested in improving these behaviors. #TheCommunityGuide #ActivePeople https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/nutrition-and-physical-activity-community-based-digital-health-and-telephone-interventions-increase-healthy-eating-and-physical-activity
Employees who participate in digital health and telephone interventions eat healthier foods and move more, according to a new systematic review from #TheCommunityGuide #ActivePeople https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/nutrition-and-physical-activity-worksite-digital-health-and-telephone-interventions-increase-healthy-eating-and-physical-activity
Systematic review evidence shows digital health and telephone interventions improve healthy eating and maintain physical activity among students at universities and other institutions of higher education. #TheCommunityGuide #ActivePeople https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/nutrition-and-physical-activity-digital-health-and-telephone-interventions-increase-healthy-eating-and-physical-activity-among-students-institutions-higher-education

We encourage you to share these materials with your colleagues and constituents. If you do, please e-mail us at communityguide@cdc.gov with audience information (e.g., who, approximate size), and if possible, a copy of/link to your communication materials.

As always, we appreciate your interest and support,

The Community Guide

The Guide to Community Preventive Services (The Community Guide) is a website that is a collection of all the evidence-based findings and recommendations of the Community Preventive Services Task Force.

References

¹ CDC, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. About Nutrition: Why It Matters. Atlanta, GA: 2021. Accessed 10/26/21. Available from URL: https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/about-nutrition/why-it-matters.html

² CDC, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. Benefits of Physical Activity. Atlanta, GA: 2021. Accessed 10/26/21. Available from URL: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm.

³ CDC. State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2018. Atlanta, GA: 2018. Accessed 10/26/21. Available from URL: https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/downloads/fruits-vegetables/2018/2018-fruit-vegetable-report-508.pdf

⁴ CDC, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. About Physical Activity: Why It Matters. Atlanta, GA: 2021. Accessed 10/26/21. Available from URL: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/about-physical-activity/why-it-matters.html

⁵ Pew Research Center. Internet/Broadband Fact Sheet, June 2019. Date Accessed: 9/11/2020. Available from URL: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/internet-broadband/.

⁶ Pew Research Center. Mobile Technology and Home Broadband 2019. Date Accessed 9/11/2020. Available from URL: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2019/06/PI_2019.06.13_Mobile-Technology-and-Home-Broadband_FINAL2.pdf.

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