Exploring the design and utility of an integrated web-based chatbot for young adults to support healthy eating: a qualitative study

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Research

Megan E Rollo¹  Marc TP Adam²  Clare E Collins³  Tracy L Burrows³  Megan Whatnall³  Lee M Ashton⁴  Vibeke Hansen⁵ 

[1] Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, 6845, Perth, WA, Australia;Food and Nutrition Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, 2305, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia;School of Information and Physical Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia;School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia;Food and Nutrition Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, 2305, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia;School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia;School of Education, College of Human and Social Futures, University of Newcastle, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia;Active Living Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, 2305, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia;School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia;

关键词: Young adults;    Qualitative research;    Nutrition;    Healthy eating;    Chatbot;    Behaviour change;    Diet;    Website;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12966-023-01511-4

 received in 2023-02-20, accepted in 2023-09-01,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThere is a lack of understanding of the potential utility of a chatbot integrated into a website to support healthy eating among young adults. Therefore, the aim was to interview key informants regarding potential utility and design of a chatbot to: (1) increase young adults’ return rates and engagement with a purpose-built healthy eating website and, (2) improve young adults’ diet quality.MethodsEighteen qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted across three stakeholder groups: (i) experts in dietary behaviour change in young adults (n = 6), (ii) young adult users of a healthy eating website (n = 7), and (iii) experts in chatbot design (n = 5). Interview questions were guided by a behaviour change framework and a template analysis was conducted using NVivo.ResultsInterviewees identified three potential roles of a chatbot for supporting healthy eating in young adults; R1: improving healthy eating knowledge and facilitating discovery, R2: reducing time barriers related to healthy eating, R3: providing support and social engagement. To support R1, the following features were suggested: F1: chatbot generated recommendations and F2: triage to website information or externally (e.g., another website) to address current user needs. For R2, suggested features included F3: nudge or behavioural prompts at critical moments and F4: assist users to navigate healthy eating websites. Finally, to support R3 interviewees recommended the following features: F5: enhance interactivity, F6: offer useful anonymous support, F7: facilitate user connection with content in meaningful ways and F8: outreach adjuncts to website (e.g., emails). Additional ‘general’ chatbot features included authenticity, personalisation and effective and strategic development, while the preferred chatbot style and language included tailoring (e.g., age and gender), with a positive and professional tone. Finally, the preferred chatbot message subjects included training (e.g., would you like to see a video to make this recipe?), enablement (e.g., healthy eating doesn’t need to be expensive, we’ve created a budget meal plan, want to see?) and education or informative approaches (e.g., “Did you know bananas are high in potassium which can aid in reducing blood pressure?”).ConclusionFindings can guide chatbot designers and nutrition behaviour change researchers on potential chatbot roles, features, style and language and messaging in order to support healthy eating knowledge and behaviours in young adults.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

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