Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
Date Submitted: Oct 1, 2022
Date Accepted: Dec 25, 2022
Effects of a Smartphone Application on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Saudi Adolescents: A Randomized Intervention Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Dietary patterns and nutritional status during adolescence have a direct effect on future health outcomes.
Objective:
This study aimed to promote fruit and vegetable intake among adolescents using a smartphone application called "MyPlate."
Methods:
This randomized intervention study was conducted in an urban area of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We included 104 adolescents aged 13¬–18 years, who were randomized into intervention (n = 55) or control (n = 49) arms. We examined the effect of a smartphone application (“My Plate”) on fruit and vegetable intake over 6 weeks in the intervention group. Pre- and post-questionnaires were used in the intervention and control group.
Results:
The control group showed a significant increase in fruit consumption scores between baseline (1.15 ± 0.68) and post-intervention (1.64 ± 0.98) (P = 0.01). However, after 6 weeks of using the smartphone application, the fruit and vegetable scores in the intervention group showed no significant increase. Our findings showed no significant impact of using a smartphone application on fruit and vegetable consumption.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that a smartphone application did not significantly improve fruit and vegetable intake among adolescents.
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