Abstract
BackgroundIncreasing intakes of fruits and vegetables intake, in tandem with reducing consumption of energy-dense and nutrient poor foods and beverages are dietary priorities to prevent chronic disease. Although most adults do not eat enough fruit and vegetables, teenagers and young adults tend to have the lowest intakes. Young adults typically consume a diet which is inconsistent with the dietary recommendations. Yet little is known about the best approaches to improve dietary intakes and behaviours among this group. This randomised controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using a mobile device to assess dietary intake, provide tailored dietary feedback and text messages to motivate changes in fruit, vegetable and junk food consumption among young adults.Methods/designThe CHAT project will involve the development of the mobile device food record (MDFR), and evaluation of dietary feedback and implementation of a 6-month intervention in young adults aged 18 to 30 years. The participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (1) Intervention Group 1: MDFR + Text Messages + Dietary Feedback; (2) Intervention Group 2: MDFR + Dietary Feedback; (3) Control Group 3: MDFR, no feedback. All groups will undertake a 3-day dietary record using the MDFR but only the Intervention Groups 1 and 2 will receive tailored dietary feedback at baseline and at 6-months which will consist of assessment of serves of fruits, vegetables and junk food in comparison to dietary recommendations. Tailored nutrition text messages will be sent to Intervention Group 1 over the 6 months. Data will be collected at baseline and again at the 6-month completion.DiscussionThis trial will test if applications running on mobile devices have potential to assess diet, provide tailored feedback and nutrition messages as an effective way of improving fruit and vegetable consumption and reducing energy-dense nutrient poor foods in young adults. The CHAT project will assess the impact of the intervention on behavioural intention to eat a more healthful diet. This innovative approach if successful may provide a means to deliver a low cost health promotion program that has the potential to reach large groups, particularly young adults.Trial registrationAustralian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12612000250831
Highlights
Increasing intakes of fruits and vegetables intake, in tandem with reducing consumption of energydense and nutrient poor foods and beverages are dietary priorities to prevent chronic disease
This trial will test if applications running on mobile devices have potential to assess diet, provide tailored feedback and nutrition messages as an effective way of improving fruit and vegetable consumption and reducing energy-dense nutrient poor foods in young adults
The CHAT project will assess the impact of the intervention on behavioural intention to eat a more healthful diet
Summary
The CHAT project aims to determine if mobile devices can be used to deliver tailored feedback and nutrition messages as an effective way of improving fruit and vegetable consumption and reducing discretionary or non-core food intake in young adults. The unique aspects of this study is that it will assess the impact of an intervention delivered via a mobile device on behavioural intention to eat more fruit and vegetables and reduce the intake of junk food in young adults aged 18 to 30 years. The tailored feedback provided to individuals may provide a cost effective strategy to deal with the barriers to improving eating behaviours in Australia, namely the misconception of adequacy of current intake through provision of dietary feedback data in comparison to current Australian recommendations These proposed methods may build self-efficacy and promote behaviour change in fruit and vegetable intake and reduce junk food intake.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
