Effectiveness of the Snackability Smartphone Application to Improve Quality of the Snack Intake, General Diet Quality, and Weight Among College Students

NCT05302830 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 20-0275
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 272
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The Snackability was a two-arm, 12-week randomized control trial among 272 overweight college students. Participants were equally randomized to the intervention group (access to the app) or control group (no access to the app). Diet and weight were assessed at baseline, at 4 weeks, at 8 weeks, and at 12 weeks.

Conditions

Obesity; Diet, Healthy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in general diet quality

  The change in diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2015, which was calculated from three 24-h recalls (2 on weekdays and 1 during the weekend) collected at baseline and 12 weeks.

  12 weeks

• Change in snack quality

  The change in snacks consumed was recorded from the 24-h recalls collected at baseline and again at 12 months. For each snack consumed at each time point, a score was calculated using the Snackability scoring system.

  12 weeks

• Change in snack patterns

  The change in snack patterns was assessed by responses to the survey about intake of snacks completed at baseline and 12 weeks

  12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in weight

  12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Snackability app

EXPERIMENTAL

This app allows user to search for a snack (scan barcode or type snack name), add a portion size consumed based on a portion size guide, and then provide a snack score and breakdown scores with a specific feedback message about the score.25 A score ranging from 0-10 points was designed taking into account the first ingredient, the nutrient standard by portion size, and the processing of foods (score ranging from -1 to 1 was subtracted or added depend on processed food classification). The final score ranged from -1 to 11 points. The higher the score, the more compliant it is to the guideline; therefore, the healthier the snack is. The app also provides gamification features as self-motivation (level up and achievement gained) and reporting features as goal-setting and self-monitoring (average daily score and consumed snack history).

Behavioral: Snackability app

Control group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

The control group received a 1-page with information on what is a healthy snack from the USDA: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/tools-schools-focusing-smart-snacks. They were given access to the app after the 12-week study period.

Behavioral: Control group

Interventions

Snackability app BEHAVIORAL

This app allows user to search for a snack (scan barcode or type snack name), add a portion size consumed based on a portion size guide, and then provide a snack score and breakdown scores with a specific feedback message about the score.25 A score ranging from 0-10 points was designed taking into account the first ingredient, the nutrient standard by portion size, and the processing of foods (score ranging from -1 to 1 was subtracted or added depend on processed food classification). The final score ranged from -1 to 11 points. The higher the score, the more compliant it is to the guideline; therefore, the healthier the snack is. The app also provides gamification features as self-motivation (level up and achievement gained) and reporting features as goal-setting and self-monitoring (average daily score and consumed snack history).

Snackability app

Control group BEHAVIORAL

The control group received a 1-page with information on what is a healthy snack from the USDA: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/tools-schools-focusing-smart-snacks. They were given access to the app after the 12-week study period.

Control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 24 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Overweight or obese college students-
• Aged 18-24 years
• Owner of a smartphone with Android or iOS platforms with access to an internet connection to use the app
• Willingness to participate in a clinical trial of 3 months and complete assessments at baseline and every 4 weeks at home

You may not qualify if:

• Nutrition students
• Enrolled in a weight loss and/or nutrition program
• Taking medications known to influence weight
• Pregnant or breastfeeding

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Florida International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Florida International University

Miami, Florida, 33199, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Obesity

Interventions

Control Groups

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Overweight; Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Epidemiologic Research Design; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Research Design; Methods

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 12, 2022
• First Posted: March 31, 2022
• Study Start: June 15, 2020
• Primary Completion: July 15, 2021
• Study Completion: July 15, 2021
• Last Updated: April 13, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)