Researchers looked at 11 studies involving nearly 2,000 adults with serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. They wanted to see if using phones, apps, and text messages could help these people improve their eating habits and overall health. The results were promising - most people lost weight, improved their heart health, and felt better mentally when they used these digital tools with guidance from healthcare workers. While more research is needed, this suggests that technology could be a helpful way to support better nutrition for people managing severe mental illness.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether using phones, apps, and text messages can help adults with severe mental illness eat better and improve their health
  • Who participated: 1,827 adults (56% women) with serious mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression from 11 different studies
  • Key finding: Most people who used these digital nutrition programs lost weight, improved their heart health, and felt better mentally, especially when guided by healthcare professionals
  • What it means for you: If you have a mental health condition, using apps and phone support might help you eat better and feel healthier, but you should work with a healthcare provider

The Research Details

This was a systematic review, which means researchers gathered and analyzed all the available studies on this topic. They searched through medical databases to find every study that tested digital nutrition programs for people with severe mental illness. They found 11 studies that met their standards - 6 were randomized controlled trials (the gold standard where people were randomly assigned to different groups) and 5 were before-and-after studies that tracked people’s progress over time.

This type of research is important because it gives us the big picture by combining results from multiple studies. Instead of relying on just one small study, we can see patterns across nearly 2,000 people and different approaches to using technology for nutrition support.

The review included both high-quality randomized trials and simpler before-and-after studies. The researchers used a standard framework to evaluate how well each study was designed and reported, which helps us understand how reliable the findings are.

What the Results Show

The most encouraging results were for weight loss and physical health. Eight studies measured weight changes, and five of them found significant improvements - meaning people actually lost weight or improved their body measurements. Mental health outcomes were also promising, with five out of five studies that measured this showing improvements in mood, anxiety, or overall mental wellbeing. Heart health markers like blood pressure and cholesterol improved in four out of five studies that tracked these measures. Most programs lasted between 6 weeks and 12 months, and the majority were led by healthcare professionals rather than being completely self-guided.

Physical activity levels improved in two out of six studies that measured exercise habits. Interestingly, only three studies actually measured what people were eating, and just one of those found significant changes in diet quality. Most programs used smartphones in some way - either through phone calls with counselors, text message reminders, dedicated apps, or a combination of approaches.

This appears to be the first systematic review specifically looking at digital nutrition interventions for people with severe mental illness. Previous research has shown that people with conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder often struggle with weight gain and poor nutrition, partly due to medication side effects and the challenges of managing daily life with mental illness.

The studies varied widely in their approaches, making it hard to say which specific features work best. Very few studies actually measured changes in what people ate, focusing more on weight and health markers. The programs ranged from 6 weeks to a full year, so we don’t know the ideal length. Also, most participants were guided by healthcare professionals, so we can’t be sure how well these approaches work when people use them completely on their own.

The Bottom Line

If you have a severe mental health condition and want to improve your eating habits, consider asking your healthcare provider about digital nutrition programs. Based on this research, approaches that combine smartphone technology with professional guidance appear most promising for weight management and overall health improvement.

Adults with severe mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression who are struggling with weight management or want to improve their physical health. Healthcare providers working with these populations should also consider incorporating digital tools into their nutrition counseling.

The studies showed improvements anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 months, with most people seeing benefits within a few months of starting a program. However, longer programs may be needed for lasting changes.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your weight weekly and monitor mood daily, as these were the most commonly improved outcomes in the studies
  • Use the app to receive regular text reminders about healthy eating goals and log your meals when possible, ideally with support from a healthcare provider
  • Focus on long-term tracking of weight, physical activity, and mental health symptoms over at least 3-6 months to see meaningful changes

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. People with severe mental illness should consult with their healthcare providers before making significant changes to their diet or treatment plan.