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

NCT ID: NCT05302830

Last Updated: 2023-04-13

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 272 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2020-06-15
• Study Completion Date: 2021-07-15

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

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Snackability app

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).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Snackability app

Intervention Type: 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).

Control group

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.

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Control group

Intervention Type: 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.

Interventions

Snackability app

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).

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Control group

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.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 24 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Florida International University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Cristina Palacios, PhD

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Florida International University

Miami, Florida, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

20-0275

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id