Application of dietary recommender systems in the field of healthcare:a scoping review

WU Xiaochen; ZHOU Yingfeng; WANG Huiyi

doi:10.12102/j.issn.1009-6493.2025.17.020

Abstract：Objective:To systematically search and to screen literature on dietary recommender systems in healthcare services field worldwide,to summarize and to analyze their features,algorithms,and application scenarios,thereby to provide a foundation for advancing personalized nutrition through such system.Methods:A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Chinese and English databases using subject headings and free-text terms,covering records from database inception to March 31,2024.Following the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review framework and the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis.All extracted data were collated and analyzed.Results:Thirty-eight studies were included.Five studies focused on dietary recommendations for chronic disease or diabetic patients,while the remaining did not specify target populations.Twenty-three studies recommended recipes,six suggested ingredients,three proposed meal combos,four provided daily meal plans,one offered therapeutic dietary prescriptions,and one recommended snacks.Thirty studies used offline trials for system testing,ten employed user surveys,one conducted a pilot trial,and one performed an online trials.Conclusions:Advances in algorithmic models theoretically demonstrate the feasibility of dietary recommendations,yet research remains nascent,with incomplete reporting and underdeveloped evaluation frameworks.Future studies should assess real-world usability and efficacy to empower nutrition and dietary management.