Digital Intervention To Improve Diet Quality

Healthy Roots will focus on improving the clinical encounter between WIC clinicians and socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers, who are disproportionately impacted by obesity, during the first 6 months postpartum.

Prior to the clinical trial portion of this project, quantitative interviews (Aim 1) were held to explore how digital health tools can be use to improve the dietary patterns of mothers and caregivers during the early postpartum period. 13 individuals who receive WIC benefits from Piedmont Health Services will be asked to participate in a one-time interview with research staff.

Following quantitative interviews, the proposed trial (Aims 2 and 3) will test the feasibility of mothers receiving WIC benefits to participate in a pilot digital behavioral intervention to increase diet quality, which will deliver nutrition guidance for meeting recommendations outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans using interactive self-monitoring and feedback, and tailored skills training. The investigator will also explore acceptability of participating in Healthy Roots among both mothers receiving WIC benefits and WIC clinicians who are delivering counseling. This will help determine the potential for this intervention to be implemented into the existing clinical WIC encounter.

Inclusion criteria

• Aged ≥18 years;
• Has a smartphone with a data plan and an email address;
• willing to receive daily text messages;
• receives WIC benefits from Piedmont Health Services (North Carolina)
• has a child that is 24 months or younger
• speaks English as primary language.

Exclusion criteria

• participating in another related clinical trial;