Impact on Dietary Intake of Two Levels of Technology-Assisted Personalized Nutrition: A Randomized Trial.

Megan E Rollo,Rebecca L Haslam,Clare E Collins

doi:10.3390/nu12113334

Megan E Rollo, Rebecca L Haslam + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113334

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Journal: Nutrients	Publication Date: Oct 29, 2020
Citations: 22	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Newcastle Australia

Abstract

Advances in web and mobile technologies have created efficiencies relating to collection, analysis and interpretation of dietary intake data. This study compared the impact of two levels of nutrition support: (1) low personalization, comprising a web-based personalized nutrition feedback report generated using the Australian Eating Survey® (AES) food frequency questionnaire data; and (2) high personalization, involving structured video calls with a dietitian using the AES report plus dietary self-monitoring with text message feedback. Intake was measured at baseline and 12 weeks using the AES and diet quality using the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS). Fifty participants (aged 39.2 ± 12.5 years; Body Mass Index 26.4 ± 6.0 kg/m2; 86.0% female) completed baseline measures. Significant (p < 0.05) between-group differences in dietary changes favored the high personalization group for total ARFS (5.6 points (95% CI 1.3 to 10.0)) and ARFS sub-scales of meat (0.9 points (0.4 to 1.6)), vegetarian alternatives (0.8 points (0.1 to 1.4)), and dairy (1.3 points (0.3 to 2.3)). Additional significant changes in favor of the high personalization group occurred for proportion of energy intake derived from energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods (−7.2% (−13.8% to −0.5%)) and takeaway foods sub-group (−3.4% (−6.5% to 0.3%). Significant within-group changes were observed for 12 dietary variables in the high personalization group vs. one variable for low personalization. A higher level of personalized support combining the AES report with one-on-one dietitian video calls and dietary self-monitoring resulted in greater dietary change compared to the AES report alone. These findings suggest nutrition-related web and mobile technologies in combination with personalized dietitian delivered advice have a greater impact compared to when used alone.

Highlights

Sub-optimal dietary intake has a well-established relationship with increased risk of non-communicable diseases and mortality [1,2,3]
Two participants from the High personalization (HiP) group and three from low personalization (LoP) group did not participate in the follow-up at the end of the 12 week intervention period
Our findings provide further evidence that telehealth delivered by a dietitian is effective at improving the dietary intakes of adults

Summary

Introduction

Sub-optimal dietary intake has a well-established relationship with increased risk of non-communicable diseases and mortality [1,2,3]. In 2017, dietary risks accounted for 10.9 million (95% uncertainty interval 10·1–11·7) deaths and 255 million (234–274) disability-adjusted life-years, and were the leading cause of mortality and second leading cause of mortality among level two risk factors, respectively [4]. Diet-related burden of disease was highest for cardiovascular diseases, followed by cancers and type 2 diabetes [5]. Modelling of Australian data estimates that by 2025, inadequate fruit and vegetable intakes could result in total productivity losses of AUD 498 million [6]. Technology-assisted tailoring and delivery of feedback and advice in relation to diet, and to promote healthy eating, has been shown to be effective [7].

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Discussion

Conclusion