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

Florida International University (FIU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Obesity; Diet, Healthy

Treatments: Behavioral: Snackability app; Behavioral: Control group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05302830

20-0275

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 272 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 24 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 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

Exclusion criteria

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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272 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Snackability app

Experimental group

Description:

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).

Treatment:

Behavioral: Snackability app

Control group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Control group