Effects of a Novel Machine Learning Mobile App on Diet Adherence in Individuals Following the Low Fodmap Diet

Subjects will be residents of California or Arizona and recruited to the study via response to the study recruitment questionnaire advertised through online flyers, social media platforms (i.e., facebook and instagram), list serves, and recruitment services across all Arizona State University (ASU) campuses. This 6-week randomized controlled experimental study consists of a 4-week intervention period that immediately follows a 2-week baseline symptom monitoring period. The trial is conducted completely online. Data analyses will begin immediately once the trial is initiated and is expected to occur for up to one year after study completion. Following a 2-week monitoring period, participants will be randomized (via a number draw randomization method) into one of three groups: Machine Learning (ML) App + Registered Dietitian (RD) facilitator (ML-RD), ML mobile application (ML-App), or Standard Dietary Education (CON). The ML-RD group will be provided access to the Heali mobile application as well as a personal RD to provide nutrition support and answer any questions through a real-time messaging system within the mobile app. The ML-APP group receives access to the Heali mobile dietary application only. All groups will receive a link to resources regarding the LFD including an educational guide to the implementation of the elimination and reintroduction phases of the diet, a suitable/unsuitable food guide, 19 substitutes for unsuitable foods, a guide of example meals (i.e., breakfast-6 recipes, lunch-8 recipes, dinner-12 recipes, and snacks/beverages-13 recipes), and tips for reading labels and eating a balanced diet while following the LFD. The website is located at http://www.myginutrition.com/news.html and operated by the University of Michigan Health System.

Inclusion criteria

• IBS-SSS score ≥ 175 (moderate to severe IBS)
• meet the Rome IV criteria for IBS of any type including those with IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), IBS mixed typed (IBS-M), or IBS unsubtyped (IBS-U), and had symptoms for the past 3 months or greater
• own an I-phone
• have not used a dietary application or elimination diet for IBS in the past 6 months
• must be willing to participate in the low FODMAP diet intervention over a 4-week period with a monitoring period of 2-weeks
• agree to complete online questionnaires as frequently as once per week from study start.

Exclusion criteria

• individuals with food allergies (not food intolerances)
• smokers
• those with history of chronic disease (other than gastrointestinal dysfunction)
• nutrition student or professional
• prescription medication is permitted unless the medication is to treat IBS (which includes steroids).