Experience and Health Impact of University Students Accessing a Digital Nutrition, Fitness and Mindfulness Platform

Physical Activity Clinical Trial

Official title:

Experience and Health Impact of University Students Accessing a Digital Nutrition, Fitness and Mindfulness Platform

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03579264
• Other study ID #: Pro00079680
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: August 28, 2018
• Est. completion date: May 1, 2019

Study information

• Verified date: December 2019
• Source: University of Alberta
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Dietary choices, quality of life and stress will be evaluated in a sample of 100 undergraduate students who are in their first year of university. Students will be randomized into the following two groups; intervention arm (students who will use a preventative self-care program for 12 weeks) vs. control arm (students who will not use a preventative self-care program for 12 weeks).

Description:

When individuals look after their own health using online applications they can expect similar or even better health outcomes compared to those obtained by using conventional methods. These kind of tools are popular among University students. Due to the many changes and challenges that students face in the first year of University, this sector of our population is at higher risk of presenting nutritional problems, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.

Recently, a Canadian online application called My Viva Plan® became available. This program is based on preventive self-care and it includes three key pillars of health: nutrition, fitness, and mindfulness. Changes in dietary choices, quality of life and stress will be evaluated in a sample of 100 undergraduate students who are in their first year of university. Students will be randomized into the following two groups; students who will use the program vs. students who will not use the program. Questionnaires regarding physical activity, mindfulness and mental well-being will be evaluated at baseline, week 6 and week

12. Body composition characteristics using bioelectrical impedance analysis will be collected at the start and end of the study (baseline and week 12).

The objective is to determine if the use of an online application based on preventive self-care will result in better food choices, better quality of life, and reduced stress in first year university students.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 97
• Est. completion date: May 1, 2019
• Est. primary completion date: May 1, 2019
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 17 Years to 30 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• First-year undergraduate university students attending the University of Alberta's North Campus

• Students who are able to complete study assessments in their first year of university

• 17-30 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Students with self-reported eating disorders

• Students with self-reported untreated depression, anxiety or other mood disorders

• Students who do not own a device to access the internet (i.e. tablet, computer, laptop, smart phone)

• Students who are not able to communicate in English

• Pregnant or lactating women

• Individuals with pace-makers or electronic implantable devices

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Health Behavior
• Nutrition
• Physical Activity
• Stress

Intervention

Behavioral:
• My Viva Plan
Use of the online platform, My Viva Plan, to support health and wellness.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	University of Alberta	Edmonton	Alberta

Sponsors (4)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Alberta	Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research (CFDR), Mitacs, Revive Wellness Inc.

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change in Stress	To assess the change in self reported stress from baseline to week 12 using the Stress Indicators Questionnaire by the International Counselling Team.	Baseline, week 12
Secondary	Change in Dietary Choices	To assess the change in dietary choices from baseline to week 12 using three-day food records collected at baseline and week 12.	Baseline, week 12