Researchers looked at seven studies about using phones and apps to help parents prevent stunting—when children don’t grow properly due to poor nutrition. The studies tested different ways to send health tips through text messages, apps, and voice calls. The good news: parents who used these tools learned more about feeding their kids healthy foods and actually changed how they fed them. However, the results for actually measuring if kids grew better were mixed. This review shows that mobile health tools could be a helpful way to teach parents about nutrition, especially in places where it’s hard to reach doctors.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether using phones, apps, and text messages can help parents learn how to feed their children better and prevent stunting (when kids don’t grow to a healthy size)
  • Who participated: Seven different research studies involving parents and caregivers in various countries. The studies included three full experiments, one partial experiment, and three smaller test projects
  • Key finding: Parents who received health messages through their phones learned more about nutrition and changed their feeding practices for the better. However, it wasn’t clear if this always led to kids actually growing taller and healthier
  • What it means for you: If you’re a parent or caregiver, using health apps and text message reminders may help you learn better ways to feed children. However, this is just one tool—talking to doctors and making sure kids eat nutritious food is still the most important part

The Research Details

This was a scoping review, which means researchers searched through many scientific databases to find all the studies about using phones and apps to help prevent stunting in children. They looked at five major databases and found 317 studies, then carefully selected seven that best matched what they were looking for.

The seven studies they reviewed used different approaches: some sent daily or weekly text messages, others used apps people could download, some used voice calls with recorded messages, and a few used WhatsApp or chatbots (computer programs that chat with people). Some studies had parents use these tools on their own, while others had health workers help guide them through the process.

The researchers looked at what happened in these studies: Did parents learn more? Did they change how they fed their kids? Did the children actually grow better? Did more families use health services? Did parents feel less stressed?

This type of review is important because it brings together all the current research on one topic in one place. Instead of reading seven different studies separately, this review helps us see the big picture about whether phone-based tools actually work for preventing stunting. This matters because stunting affects millions of children worldwide and is often caused by poor nutrition that could be prevented with better parent education

This review followed strict scientific guidelines (called PRISMA-ScR) that ensure the researchers did their work carefully and fairly. The studies they reviewed included well-designed experiments (randomized controlled trials) which are considered the strongest type of research. However, the review only looked at seven studies total, which is a small number, so the findings should be seen as promising but not final proof

What the Results Show

The most consistent and positive finding was that parents who used mobile health tools—whether apps, text messages, or voice calls—learned more about nutrition and healthy feeding practices. This was seen across multiple studies and appears to be a reliable benefit of using these tools.

Parents who received these mobile health messages reported changing how they fed their children, including introducing new foods, feeding more frequently, and choosing more nutritious options. These changes in feeding behavior are important because good nutrition is the main way to prevent stunting.

However, when researchers looked at whether children actually grew taller and healthier, the results were less clear. Some studies showed improvements in child growth, while others didn’t see much difference. Similarly, results for whether more families used health services (like getting vaccinations) were mixed across the studies.

Some studies measured how parents felt emotionally and found that using these tools may have reduced stress and improved well-being in some caregivers. A few studies also looked at whether parents’ attitudes and beliefs about nutrition improved, and these generally showed positive changes. These secondary benefits suggest that mobile health tools might help parents feel more confident and supported in their role as caregivers

This review builds on earlier research showing that mobile health tools can be useful in healthcare. Previous studies have shown that text messages and apps can help with many health conditions. This review specifically focuses on stunting prevention and confirms that the approach is promising in this area too. However, it also highlights that while teaching parents is working, we still need better ways to make sure this knowledge actually leads to healthier, taller children

The review only included seven studies, which is a small number. Some studies were small pilot projects rather than large, well-designed experiments. The studies were done in different countries with different populations, so results might not apply everywhere. The studies measured different things in different ways, making it hard to compare them directly. Most importantly, the studies didn’t consistently measure whether children actually grew better, so we can’t be certain this approach prevents stunting in real life

The Bottom Line

Mobile health tools show promise for teaching parents about nutrition and improving feeding practices (moderate confidence). These tools could be useful as part of a larger effort to prevent stunting, especially in areas where it’s hard to reach families with traditional health services. However, they should not replace regular doctor visits and professional nutrition advice (high confidence). More research is needed to confirm whether these tools actually prevent stunting in children (low to moderate confidence)

Parents and caregivers in areas with limited access to health services may benefit most from these tools. Health workers and public health programs looking for new ways to teach families about nutrition should consider mobile health approaches. However, families with regular access to doctors and nutritionists may not need these tools as much. This research is most relevant for low and middle-income countries where stunting is more common

Parents might notice changes in their feeding practices within weeks of using these tools. However, seeing actual improvements in child growth typically takes months (usually 3-6 months or longer) because children grow slowly. Don’t expect overnight changes—this is a long-term approach to building better nutrition habits

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly feeding changes: Record which new foods you introduced, how many times per day you fed your child, and whether you followed nutrition tips from the app. Take monthly photos or measurements to monitor growth progress over time
  • Set up daily or weekly app reminders for feeding times and nutrition tips. Use the app to log what your child ate each day and get feedback on nutrition quality. Join any community features to connect with other parents and share experiences
  • Check the app weekly to review your feeding practice changes and celebrate improvements. Monthly, compare your child’s growth measurements (height and weight) to track progress. Every 3 months, review overall trends in your feeding practices and app engagement to stay motivated

This review summarizes research about mobile health tools for preventing stunting but is not medical advice. Stunting is a serious health condition that requires professional medical evaluation and care. Parents and caregivers should always consult with their child’s doctor or a registered dietitian before making major changes to a child’s diet or health care. Mobile health apps should be used to support, not replace, regular medical care and professional nutrition guidance. If you have concerns about your child’s growth or nutrition, contact a healthcare provider immediately.