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

Obesity Clinical Trial

Official title:

Snackability Trial

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05302830
• Other study ID #: 20-0275
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: June 15, 2020
• Est. completion date: July 15, 2021

Study information

• Verified date: April 2023
• Source: Florida International University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial 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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 272
• Est. completion date: July 15, 2021
• Est. primary completion date: July 15, 2021
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 24 Years

Eligibility

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

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Diet, Healthy
• Obesity

Intervention

Behavioral:
• 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).
• 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.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Florida International University	Miami	Florida

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Florida International University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change in general diet quality	The change in diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2015, which was calculated from three 24-h recalls (2 on weekdays and 1 during the weekend) collected at baseline and 12 weeks.	12 weeks
Primary	Change in snack quality	The change in snacks consumed was recorded from the 24-h recalls collected at baseline and again at 12 months. For each snack consumed at each time point, a score was calculated using the Snackability scoring system.	12 weeks
Primary	Change in snack patterns	The change in snack patterns was assessed by responses to the survey about intake of snacks completed at baseline and 12 weeks	12 weeks
Secondary	Change in weight	The change in weight was measured between weight measured at baseline and weight measured 12 weeks later	12 weeks