Abstract
Objective: To pilot test the effectiveness of “MyNutriCart”, a smartphone application (app) that generates healthy grocery lists, on diet and weight. Methods: A pilot randomized trial was conducted to test the efficacy of using the “MyNutriCart” app compared to one face-to-face counseling session (Traditional group) in Hispanic overweight and obese adults. Household food purchasing behavior, three 24-h food recalls, Tucker’s semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and weight were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks. Statistical analyses included t tests, a Poisson regression model, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using STATA. Results: 24 participants in the Traditional group and 27 in the App group completed the study. Most participants were women (>88%), with a mean age of 35.3 years, more than a high school education (>80%), a family composition of at least three members, and a mean baseline body mass index (BMI) of 34.5 kg/m2. There were significant improvements in household purchasing of vegetables and whole grains, in individual intakes of refined grains, healthy proteins, whole-fat dairies, legumes, 100% fruit juices, and sweets and snacks; and in the individual frequency of intake of fruits and cold cuts/cured meats within the intervention group (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found between groups. No changes were detected in weight. Conclusions: “MyNutriCart” app use led to significant improvements in food-related behaviors compared to baseline, with no significant differences when compared to the Traditional group. Cost and resource savings of using the app compared to face-to-face counseling may make it a good option for interventionists.
Highlights
Diet-mediated chronic conditions affect half of the US adult population [1]
The purpose of this study is to report on the pilot test of this app for improving household food purchase behavior and for improving individual dietary behaviors, compared to a traditional nutritional counseling face-to-face session in a convenience sample of overweight and obese Hispanic adults
Most participants were women (>88%), mean age was 35.3 years, most had more than high school education (>80%), a family composition of at least three members, and a mean baseline body mass index (BMI) of 34.5 kg/m2
Summary
Diet-mediated chronic conditions affect half of the US adult population [1]. These could be prevented by following the science-based Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) [2]. Several task forces have pinpointed the gap in translating the DGA recommendations into positive dietary changes [4,5,6], noting that the main barrier is the translation of the guidelines into practical, food-based recommendations and as such, new approaches are needed to Nutrients 2018, 10, 1967; doi:10.3390/nu10121967 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients. Innovative approaches should aim to improve grocery shopping, a critical moment when individuals need assistance for purchasing healthy foods [7]. It has been reported that the main barrier to healthful shopping is a lack of self-efficacy in choosing healthy foods [9]
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