Researchers tested a new app at a children’s hospital that lets kids and parents order food whenever they want, instead of waiting for set meal times. The app worked like a restaurant delivery service but for hospital patients. Over 100 families tried it out, and almost everyone—kids, parents, and hospital staff—said it was a great idea. The app helped solve a big problem: many sick kids don’t eat enough in hospitals because they’re not hungry at regular meal times. While the hospital kitchen staff found it a bit challenging to manage all the orders, the overall results were so positive that the hospital is planning to use this app throughout the entire facility.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can a food ordering app (like a restaurant delivery service) help hospitalized children eat better by letting them order food whenever they want instead of at set meal times?
  • Who participated: 101 families at a specialist children’s hospital participated in the initial survey. During the actual test, 26 families used the app, and 29 hospital staff members (nurses, doctors, kitchen workers) shared their opinions through interviews and group discussions.
  • Key finding: All groups—children, parents, nurses, and kitchen staff—gave the app positive reviews. Kids and families especially liked being able to order food when hungry. The app appears to help children eat more by letting them choose when and what they want.
  • What it means for you: If your child is in the hospital, this app could help them eat better and recover faster by letting them order food on their own schedule. However, this is still being tested, so talk to your hospital team about whether it’s available at your facility.

The Research Details

Researchers conducted what’s called a ‘proof-of-concept trial,’ which is like testing a new idea on a small scale before rolling it out everywhere. They set up the food ordering app on six different hospital wards (hospital floors) for four weeks. Before and after the trial, they collected information in two ways: they asked families and staff to fill out surveys (numbers and ratings), and they talked to people one-on-one and in small groups to hear their detailed thoughts and experiences. This combination of numbers and personal stories helps researchers understand both what happened and why people felt the way they did.

Hospital food is really important for kids getting better, but many hospitalized children don’t eat enough. By testing this app in a real hospital with real families and staff, researchers could see if it actually solves the problem of kids not eating. Testing it this way—with real people in a real hospital—is much more useful than just imagining how it might work.

This study has some strong points: it included feedback from everyone involved (kids, parents, nurses, kitchen staff), used both surveys and interviews to get complete information, and tested the app in a real hospital setting. However, it’s a small test with only 26 families actually using the app during the trial, so the results are promising but not final proof. The study was designed to test whether the idea works, not to prove it works for everyone everywhere.

What the Results Show

The Food on Demand Delivery Service app received positive feedback from all groups tested. Families appreciated being able to order food whenever their child felt hungry, rather than waiting for scheduled meal times. Parents reported that the app gave them more control over their child’s nutrition and made mealtimes less stressful. Hospital staff on the wards (nurses and doctors) supported the app because they saw children eating more and families being happier. The app successfully addressed a major barrier to eating in hospitals: the mismatch between when food is served and when sick children actually feel hungry. Children could order meals, snacks, and drinks through the app, and the food arrived relatively quickly to their rooms.

Kitchen and catering staff identified some challenges that need fixing before the app is used hospital-wide. They had trouble keeping track of all the orders coming in at different times and communicating clearly with the ward staff about what was ready. Some staff worried about whether they could handle the increased workload. However, even with these challenges, the catering team agreed the app was worth improving and using more broadly. The research team also found that families appreciated having choices and the ability to customize orders for their child’s preferences.

Previous research has shown that poor nutrition is a common problem for hospitalized children and slows down recovery. Many studies have identified reasons why kids don’t eat well in hospitals—including not being hungry at set meal times, not liking hospital food, and feeling sick. However, few hospitals have actually tested solutions to fix these problems. This app appears to be one of the first real attempts to address these barriers using modern technology, making it a novel and important addition to what we know about hospital nutrition.

This was a small test on only six hospital wards for just four weeks, so we don’t know if the results would be the same if used everywhere in the hospital or for longer periods. Only 26 families actually used the app during the trial, which is a small number. The study didn’t measure whether children actually gained weight or recovered faster—it mainly measured whether people liked the app. We also don’t know how the app would work during very busy times or if it would be affordable for all hospitals to use. The study was done at one specialist children’s hospital, so results might be different at other types of hospitals.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, the app shows promise and should be improved and tested more widely in hospitals (moderate confidence level). Before using it everywhere, hospitals should address the kitchen staff’s concerns about managing orders and communication. Parents and children should be trained on how to use the app. This is not a replacement for regular hospital meals—it’s an addition that gives families more options. Talk to your hospital team about whether this app is available and how to use it if your child is hospitalized.

This research matters most to: parents with children in hospitals, hospital administrators deciding how to improve patient care, hospital kitchen and nutrition staff, and pediatric doctors and nurses. It’s less relevant to adults in hospitals, though similar apps might work for them too. Children old enough to use a phone or tablet (roughly age 8 and up) could use the app themselves, while younger children would need parent help.

If a hospital implements this app, families might see benefits immediately—children could start eating better within days as they order food when hungry. However, the full benefits for recovery (like faster healing and shorter hospital stays) would take weeks to months to become obvious. The hospital kitchen would need several weeks to adjust their processes and get comfortable with the new system.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your child’s food intake during hospitalization by logging what they order through the app, what they actually eat, and how they feel after eating. Note times of day when your child is most hungry and what foods they prefer. This helps doctors understand your child’s nutrition and can improve their care plan.
  • Parents can use the app to encourage their child to eat by letting them choose foods they like and ordering at times when the child feels most hungry. This gives children some control during a stressful hospital stay and can make eating feel less like a chore. Staff can use the app to better understand each child’s eating patterns and preferences.
  • Over the child’s hospital stay, monitor whether they’re eating more and feeling better. Keep notes on which foods they order most, when they’re hungriest, and how their energy level changes. Share this information with the hospital nutrition team so they can adjust the child’s meal plan if needed. After discharge, discuss with your doctor whether the eating patterns from the hospital stay suggest any follow-up nutrition support at home.

This research describes a promising new app for hospital food ordering, but it is still in early testing stages. This information is not medical advice. The app’s availability and effectiveness may vary by hospital. Parents should always work with their child’s hospital care team regarding nutrition and dietary needs. If your child has specific dietary restrictions, allergies, or medical conditions affecting eating, discuss the app with your child’s doctor or nutritionist before use. Results from this small trial may not apply to all hospitals or all children. Always follow your hospital’s guidelines and recommendations for your child’s care.