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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT05302830

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity Body Weight Diet, Healthy Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–24 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Florida International University

Miami, Florida, 33199, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Snackability app

Behavioral

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

Behavioral

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in general diet quality

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    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.

  2. Change in snack quality

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    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.

  3. Change in snack patterns

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    The change in snack patterns was assessed by responses to the survey about intake of snacks completed at baseline and 12 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in weight

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    The change in weight was measured between weight measured at baseline and weight measured 12 weeks later

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Florida International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Snackability Trial

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Mar 31, 2022
Registry last updated
Apr 13, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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