AI Mobile Application for Promoting Healthy Eating

Overseen By Christabel A Domfe, MS

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Davis

Disqualifiers: Eating disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a mobile app designed to encourage healthy eating by tracking food choices and providing feedback. Researchers aim to determine if a version of the app with game-like features and reminders helps users make better food choices compared to a simpler version that only tracks food intake. The study seeks UC Davis students willing to log their food intake on their smartphones for six weeks. The goal is to identify which app version is more effective and whether the user's food security status influences its effectiveness. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance healthy eating habits for many.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on using a mobile app to track food intake.

What prior data suggests that this AI mobile application is safe for promoting healthy eating?

Previous studies have shown that apps using gamification (adding game-like features) positively affect user behavior and engagement. People generally use these apps without major issues. Research indicates that these apps do not pose significant safety risks. For example, a study of 69 gamified health apps found no major safety problems. This suggests that the gamified version of the AI mobile app is likely safe for users. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this AI Mobile Application for promoting healthy eating because it offers a novel approach compared to standard dietary advice and tracking apps. Unlike traditional methods that usually just track calorie and nutrient intake, the gamified app version not only provides this information but also includes behavioral nudges to encourage healthier food choices. This interactive and engaging feature, known as gamification, aims to motivate users by making the process more fun and rewarding, potentially leading to better adherence and success in improving dietary habits.

What evidence suggests that this AI mobile application is effective for promoting healthy eating?

Research has shown that adding game-like features to nutrition apps can make them more fun and engaging, encouraging users to maintain healthier eating habits. In this trial, participants in the intervention group will use a gamified app version that delivers behavioral nudges and provides a daily report of caloric and nutrient intake. One study found that a nutrition app with game elements helped teenage girls in low- and middle-income countries make better food choices. Another study showed that people using these gamified apps were more active and lost more weight than those using apps without game features. These findings suggest that a gamified app can effectively improve eating habits by making the process more enjoyable and motivating. Participants in the control group will receive a limited app version that only provides a daily report of caloric and nutrient intake, without behavioral nudges. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lauren E Au, PhD, RDN

Principal Investigator

University of California, Davis

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for UC Davis students aged 18-24 who are generally healthy. It's designed to see if a mobile AI app can help them make better food choices. Participants will use the app to track their diet over six weeks.

Inclusion Criteria

Willing to use their smartphones with app to record all foods consumed

UC Davis student

Exclusion Criteria

History of eating disorders

Participant in the validation study that tested the app's accuracy against weighed food records

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete baseline assessments including diet quality and food security status

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants use either the intervention app (dietary assessment + gamification) or the control app (non-gamified, dietary assessment only) for six weeks to record all their food intake

6 weeks

Weekly virtual check-ins

Endline Assessment

Diet quality and app acceptability are assessed at the end of the study period

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any changes in dietary behavior post-intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• AI Mobile Application

Trial Overview The study compares two versions of an AI-powered mobile app: one that just tracks diet and another that also uses gamification to nudge users towards healthier eating habits. The goal is to see which version leads to better adherence, acceptability, and improved dietary behaviors.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention group- Gamified app version; dietary assessment + gamification Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be randomly assigned at enrollment to the intervention group, which will receive a gamified app that delivers behavioral nudges and provides a daily report of caloric and nutrient intake.

Group II: Control group- Limited app version, dietary assessment only Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will be randomized at enrollment to the control group, which will receive a "limited" app version that only provides a daily report of caloric and nutrient intake, without delivering behavioral nudges.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Davis

Lead Sponsor

Trials

958

Recruited

4,816,000+

Penn State University

Collaborator

Trials

380

Recruited

131,000+

International Food Policy Research Institute

Collaborator

Trials

45

Recruited

165,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11168059/

Gamification preferences in nutrition apps: Toward healthier ... Gamification elements (GEs) can motivate users to continue using nutrition apps by making them more enjoyable, which can lead to more positive ...

2. formative.jmir.org formative.jmir.org/2022/7/e35197

Exploring an Artificial Intelligence–Based, Gamified Phone ... A phone app prototype designed to track food choice and help adolescent girls from low- and middle-income countries make healthier food choices was found to be ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537024003778

Effect of digital health applications with or without ... The use of gamification in apps compared to non-gamified app interventions resulted in increased physical activity (steps per day), as well as decreased body ...

4. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2673-6470/5/2/13

A Pilot Study on AI-Powered Gamified Chatbot with OMO ... This pilot study explores the efficacy of an AI-powered gamified chatbot integrated with an Online-Merge-Offline (OMO) strategy to enhance parental nutrition ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9353675/

Exploring an Artificial Intelligence–Based, Gamified Phone ... This formative study investigated the acceptability, usability, and likability of an AI-based, gamified mobile phone app prototype to track and ...

6. smartico.ai smartico.ai/blog-post/gamification-in-health-safety

Gamification in Health and Safety: Promoting Risk ... Gamification in health and safety works by using game elements and mechanics to enhance safety practices and promote a culture of well-being in various ...

7. games.jmir.org games.jmir.org/2025/1/e53735/PDF

Utilizing Gamification, Artificial Intelligence, and mHealth for Artificial intelligence (AI) and gamification show promise in enhancing clinical performance and evidence-based practice. Objective: Considering ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198225003689

An AI-driven risk management gamification framework for ... The AI-gamification framework, which combines AI with game elements, acts as a catalyst in bridging the gap between workforce commitment and environmental ...

9. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11383928/

The regulatory status of health apps that employ gamification This study examines the compliance of 69 gamified mHealth apps with the EU Medical Device Regulation and assesses the specific risks arising from the gamified ...

10. youfactors.com youfactors.com/blog/new-youfactors-is-here-a-gamified-safety-app

Introducing the New YOUFactors App for Safer Habits The new YOUFactors is here: more gamified and redesigned to help teams build safety habits that stick. Download now on iOS and Android.