Investigating the Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Technology-Delivered Personalized Feedback on Dietary Patterns in Young Australian Adults in the Advice, Ideas, and Motivation for My Eating (Aim4Me) Study: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Rebecca L Haslam; Kristine Pezdirc; Helen Truby; John Attia; Melinda Hutchesson; Tracy Burrows; Robin Callister; Leanne Hides; Billie Bonevski; Deborah A Kerr; David Lubans; Sharon Kirkpatrick; Megan Rollo; Tracy McCaffrey; Clare E Collins

doi:10.2196/15999

Investigating the Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Technology-Delivered Personalized Feedback on Dietary Patterns in Young Australian Adults in the Advice, Ideas, and Motivation for My Eating (Aim4Me) Study: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

JMIR Res Protoc. 2020 May 22;9(5):e15999. doi: 10.2196/15999.

Authors

Rebecca L Haslam^#¹, Kristine Pezdirc², Helen Truby^#³, John Attia^#⁴, Melinda Hutchesson^#¹, Tracy Burrows^#¹, Robin Callister^#⁵, Leanne Hides^#⁶, Billie Bonevski^#⁴, Deborah A Kerr^#⁷, David Lubans^#⁸, Sharon Kirkpatrick^#⁹, Megan Rollo^#¹, Tracy McCaffrey^#³, Clare E Collins^#¹

Affiliations

¹ Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
² Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, North Sydney, Australia.
³ Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
⁴ School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
⁵ Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
⁶ School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
⁷ School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Institute of Technology, Perth, Australia.
⁸ Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
⁹ School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 32441659
PMCID: PMC7275255
DOI: 10.2196/15999

Abstract

Background: Web-based health interventions may be easier to access and time efficient relative to face-to-face interventions and therefore may be the most appropriate mode to engage young adults.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of 3 different levels of personalized web-based dietary feedback and support on changes in diet quality.

Methods: The Advice, Ideas, and Motivation for My Eating (Aim4Me) study is a 12-month assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of 3 levels of web-based feedback on diet quality, measured using the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS). Participants (N=2570) will primarily be recruited via web-based methods and randomized to 1 of 3 groups. Group 1 (control) will receive the Healthy Eating Quiz, a web-based dietary assessment tool that generates a brief feedback report on diet quality. Individuals randomized to this group can use the brief feedback report to make positive dietary changes. Group 2 will receive the Australian Eating Survey, a web-based dietary assessment tool that generates a comprehensive feedback report on diet quality as well as macro- and micronutrient intake. Group 2 will use the comprehensive feedback report to assist in making positive dietary changes. They will also have access to the Aim4Me website with resources on healthy eating and tools to set goals and self-monitor progress. Group 3 will receive the same intervention as Group 2 (ie, the comprehensive feedback report) in addition to a tailored 30-min video consultation with an accredited practicing dietitian who will use the comprehensive feedback report to assist individuals in making positive dietary changes. The self-determination theory was used as the framework for selecting appropriate website features, including goal setting and self-monitoring. The primary outcome measure is change in diet quality. The completion of questionnaires at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months will be incentivized with a monetary prize draw.

Results: As of December 2019, 1277 participants have been randomized.

Conclusions: The web-based delivery of nutrition interventions has the potential to improve dietary intake of young adults. However, the level of support required to improve intake is unknown.

Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618000325202; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374420.

International registered report identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/15999.

Keywords: diet; dietary feedback; eHealth; nutrition; web-based; young adults.

©Rebecca L Haslam, Kristine Pezdirc, Helen Truby, John Attia, Melinda Hutchesson, Tracy Burrows, Robin Callister, Leanne Hides, Billie Bonevski, Deborah A Kerr, David Lubans, Sharon Kirkpatrick, Megan Rollo, Tracy McCaffrey, Clare E Collins. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 22.05.2020.