Effect of using the snackability app on snack quality among US college students with overweight and obesity: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

To determine if using the Snackability app improves snack intake among college students.

Participants

US college students with overweight/obesity were recruited in June 2020-April 2021.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted to test the Snackability app use for 12 wk on snack scores (calculated from the app) compared to controls. We also explored the effect on diet quality (Healthy Eating Index-2015) and weight. Outcomes were compared between the intervention and the control groups at 4, 8, and 12 wk using repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

Participants in the app group significantly increased snack score at week 4 (p < 0.001) and week 8 (p = 0.015) and increased HEI-2020 score (p < 0.001) at week 4 compared to controls. The first 4 wk had the highest app usage. No significant differences were seen in body weight.

Conclusions

The Snackability app can be used as a tool to help improve snack and diet quality in this group.

Keywords:

• Body weight
• college students
• diet quality
• snack quality
• snackability app

Acknowledgements

CP was the project administrator and acquired the funding. CP and LP conceptualized the study. LP and RU collected data. LP analyzed data. LP wrote the first draft with contributions and corrections from CP, FH, and CC. All authors reviewed and commented on subsequent drafts of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of USA and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Florida International University.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by an internal grant from Florida International University.