Pilot Trial to Test a Nutrition Application for Making Smart and Healthy Choices When Purchasing Food in Grocery Stores

University of Puerto Rico1 site in 1 country38 target enrollmentJanuary 13, 2016

Overview

Brief Summary

An innovative nutritional application (App) entitled "MyNutriCart" was developed to create a list of foods and beverages to help individuals make smart and healthy choices when purchasing foods at grocery stores based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This App was tested in a pilot trial to evaluate its feasibility, usability, and acceptability for making smart and healthy choices when purchasing food in grocery stores and test its effectiveness in improving food selection, dietary patterns, and weight status compared with the traditional nutritional counseling.

Detailed Description

An innovative nutritional application (App) entitled "MyNutriCart" was developed to create a list of foods and beverages to help individuals make smart and healthy choices when purchasing foods at grocery stores based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. A pilot randomized clinical trial was done to test the effectiveness of this App on food selection and purchase, dietary patterns, and weight loss during two months of intervention. We also assessed feasibility, usability, satisfaction and acceptability of the App. A total of 138 overweight and obese adults aged 21-45 years old who own a Smartphone were invited to participate in this study. Participants were randomized into two groups; (1) the intervention group used the App, which generated a healthy grocery list to use when purchasing foods in in the supermarket; (2) the control group had a traditional intervention with a nutritionist. To assess the impact of the intervention on dietary patterns, participants completed three 24-hour dietary recalls, a short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and provided grocery receipts at baseline and at the end of the study (8 weeks later). Weight and height were also performed before and after the intervention. Feasibility, usability, satisfaction, and acceptability of the nutrition App were assessed at the end of the study using a questionnaire.

Registry

clinicaltrials.gov

Start Date

January 13, 2016

End Date

April 30, 2016

Last Updated

9 years ago

Study Type

Interventional

Study Design

Parallel

Sex

All

Investigators

Sponsor

University of Puerto Rico

Responsible Party

Sponsor

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

•overweight/obese adults
•aged 21-45 years
•main household shopper (responsible for \>50% of the household grocery shopping)
•shopping at a grocery store at least once a week
•owner of a smartphone (iPhone or Android) with internet access
•willingness to be randomized into one of the two groups.

Exclusion Criteria

•Use of other apps
•Participating in weight loss programs
•Pregnant women
•Individuals with chronic health conditions
•Individuals with reported food allergies

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in the frequency of food intake

Time Frame: 8 weeks

A Food frequency questionnaire was completed by participants at baseline and end of study. It includes the frequency of consumption of the following food groups: fruits, vegetables, starchy vegetables, refined and whole grains, legumes, healthy proteins, red meats, cold cuts and cured meats, whole-fat and low-fat dairy products, 100% fruit juices, and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Change in food intake

Time Frame: 8 weeks

Three 24-h recalls were completed by participants at baseline and end of study. The consumption of the following food groups was analyzed: fruits, vegetables, starchy vegetables, refined and whole grains, legumes, healthy proteins, red meats, cold cuts and cured meats, whole-fat and low-fat dairy products, 100% fruit juices, and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Change in foods selection

Time Frame: 8 weeks

Grocery receipts were evaluated at baseline and end of study for changes in food purchase of the following food groups: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, 100% fruit juices, and sugar-sweetened beverages.