Personalized nutrition interventions using digital technologies for older adults: a scoping review.

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Europe PMCPublished 2026Nutrition, Aging & LongevityNutrition & Metabolic Health
Journal
Clinical nutrition research
Record source
Europe PMC Research Library

Abstract / Description

ObjectiveAs global populations age, nutrition management is important for healthy aging. Digital technologies, including mobile applications, web-based platforms, messaging tools, and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled systems, are used in personalized nutrition interventions. However, evidence on their characteristics, effectiveness, and user experiences remains limited. This scoping review examined technology-based personalized nutrition interventions for older adults.MethodsThis review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for studies published from January 1, 2010, to June 30, 2026. Among 2,727 records, 2,044 were screened after duplicate removal, 28 full-text articles were assessed, and 13 articles representing 12 studies were included.ResultsTechnologies included mobile, messaging, web-based, information and communications technology, tablet-based, and AI-supported systems. Interventions involved dietary recording, personalized feedback, remote counseling, coaching, and self-monitoring. Outcomes included dietary intake and quality, nutritional status, physical function, frailty, cognition, cardiometabolic indicators, engagement, usability, and acceptability. Findings were more consistent for dietary behaviors and individualized nutrition management. Evidence for physical function, frailty, cognition, cardiometabolic health, and quality of life was limited and often based on small or multidomain studies. Familiar interfaces and professional support were accepted, whereas low digital literacy, complex navigation, and limited food databases were barriers.ConclusionDigital personalized nutrition interventions may support dietary behavior change and individualized nutrition management in older adults. Larger studies and user-centered systems addressing digital literacy, usability, cultural context, and AI-feedback validation are needed.
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