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SWITCH Diets Study: Self-monitoring with Internet Technology to Choose Healthy Diets

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Overweight and Obesity
Pre-diabetes
Interventions
Behavioral: learning modules (within app)
Behavioral: SWITCH app (self-regulation features) - Comparator
Behavioral: SWITCH app (self-regulation features) - Experimental
Registration Number
NCT06245369
Lead Sponsor
University of South Carolina
Brief Summary

The goal of the Self-monitoring With Internet Technology to Choose Healthy Diets (SWITCH) study is to examine a 12-week remotely delivered program designed to help adults adopt a healthy dietary lifestyle and lose weight in a diverse cohort of adults with overweight/obesity.

The intervention uses a self-determination theory framework to provide a deeper understanding of the factors that influence dietary behavior within the context of tracking. This study incorporates autonomy-supportive strategies to encourage participants to feel more in control of their dietary choices and will provide information and resources to boost participant's competence in achieving their dietary goals. The intervention includes weekly learning modules to support healthy eating and weight loss and daily dietary tracking with visual feedback, all accessible within the SWITCH app.

Detailed Description

The SWITCH study is a 12-week remotely delivered, randomized behavioral intervention. Participants will be randomized to one of two groups: 1) SWITCH tracking nutrients to decrease (n=50) or 2) SWITCH tracking nutrients to increase (n=50). Participants will attend a study orientation, complete all baseline measures, be randomized, and then attend a training session for their group. In addition, participants will complete assessment at baseline and 12 weeks.

Intervention Design:

Diet tracking. Participants in both groups will be asked to track all meals, snacks, and beverages via the SWITCH app and complete a weekly learning module. Both groups will receive the same intervention, but the targeted nutrient goals and the in-app display of daily intake will differ between groups. Participants will be given goals to either increase certain nutrients or to decrease certain nutrients.

Diet related education to support healthy eating and weight loss will be provided each week within the SWITCH app. Each module includes some or all (as applicable) of the following components: A brief educational video discussing the week's topic, a video sharing ideas for applying the educational content into daily life, "meal swap" examples, a weekly goal or challenge and example recipes.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
106
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age between 18 and 64 years.
  • BMI between 25 - 49.9 kg/m2
  • Have 2 risk factors for T2DM in addition to having overweight or obesity (as defined by the NIDDK).
  • Own and use a smartphone with a data plan.
  • Must be willing and able to change dietary intake.
  • Be free of major health or psychiatric diseases, drug, or alcohol dependency.
  • Willing to sign informed consent.
  • Own a digital body weight scale, have regular access, or be willing to purchase one
Exclusion Criteria
  • Currently participating in a weight loss program
  • Has lost more than 10 pounds in the past 6 months.
  • Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or currently using medications that may impact blood glucose.
  • Pregnant (or have been pregnant in the last 6 months), anticipating becoming pregnant in the next 12 months, or currently breastfeeding.
  • Having an eating disorder.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
standard SWITCH applearning modules (within app)Participants in this group will be given goals to reduce intake of nutrients in which US adults tend to consume too much. Personalized daily intake goals for nutrients will be based on age, weight, sex, and the US Dietary Guidelines.
standard SWITCH appSWITCH app (self-regulation features) - ComparatorParticipants in this group will be given goals to reduce intake of nutrients in which US adults tend to consume too much. Personalized daily intake goals for nutrients will be based on age, weight, sex, and the US Dietary Guidelines.
SWITCH tracking healthy nutrientslearning modules (within app)Participants allocated to this group will be given goals to reach a recommended daily intake of nutrients in which US adults tend to not consume enough. Recommended amounts will be based off of age and sex, in line with the US Dietary Guidelines.
SWITCH tracking healthy nutrientsSWITCH app (self-regulation features) - ExperimentalParticipants allocated to this group will be given goals to reach a recommended daily intake of nutrients in which US adults tend to not consume enough. Recommended amounts will be based off of age and sex, in line with the US Dietary Guidelines.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Healthy Eating Index12 weeks

Change in Healthy Eating Index from baseline to 12 weeks as assessed by dietary recalls.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Body weight12 weeks

Change in Body weight assessed by home scale - self-report data confirmed by photo

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Prevention Research Center, University of South Carolina

🇺🇸

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

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