Improving Nutrition and Activity Behaviors Using Digital Technology and Tailored Feedback: Protocol for the LiveLighter Tailored Diet and Activity (ToDAy) Randomized Controlled Trial.

Improving Nutrition and Activity Behaviors Using Digital Technology and Tailored Feedback: Protocol for the LiveLighter Tailored Diet and Activity (ToDAy) Randomized Controlled Trial.

JMIR Res Protoc. 2019 Feb 25;8(2):e12782

Authors: Halse RE, Shoneye CL, Pollard CM, Jancey J, Scott JA, Pratt IS, Dhaliwal SS, Norman R, Straker LM, Boushey CJ, Delp EJ, Zhu F, Harray AJ, Szybiak MA, Finch A, McVeigh JA, Mullan B, Collins CE, Mukhtar SA, Edwards KN, Healy JD, Kerr DA

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Excess weight is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. In Australia, over 60% of adults are overweight or obese. The overconsumption of energy-dense nutrient-poor (EDNP) foods and low physical activity (PA) levels are key factors contributing to population obesity. New cost-effective approaches to improve population diet and PA behaviors are needed.
OBJECTIVE: This 1-year randomized controlled trial (6-month intervention and 6-month follow-up) aims to investigate whether a tailored intervention using mobile technology can improve diet and PA behaviors leading to weight loss in adults (aged 18-65 years) who are overweight or obese and recruited through a social marketing campaign (LiveLighter).
METHODS: All eligible participants will provide data on demographics and lifestyle behaviors online at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Using two-stage randomization, participants will be allocated into one of three conditions (n=200 per group): tailored feedback delivered via email at seven time points, informed by objective dietary (mobile food record app) and activity (wearable activity monitor) assessment; active control receiving no tailored feedback, but undergoing the same objective assessments as tailored feedback; and online control receiving no tailored feedback or objective assessments. Primary outcome measures at 6 and 12 months are changes in body mass, EDNP food and beverage consumption, and daily moderate-to-vigorous PA (measured via accelerometry). Secondary outcomes include change in fruit and vegetable consumption, daily sedentary behaviors, and cost effectiveness.
RESULTS: Enrolment commenced in August 2017. Primary outcomes at 12 months will be available for analysis from September 2019.
CONCLUSIONS: Tailored email feedback provided to individuals may deliver a cost-effective strategy to overcome existing barriers to improving diet and PA. If found to be successful and cost effective, upscaling this intervention for inclusion in larger-scale interventions is highly feasible.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12617000554369; https://www.anzctr.org.au /Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371325&isReview=true.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/12782.

PMID: 30801257 [PubMed]