Mobile App vs Traditional Education for Healthy Nutrition

Overseen By Jacqueline Brown, MHSc

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Disqualifiers: Healthy eating curriculum covered

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

672 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Mobile App vs Traditional Education for Healthy Nutrition?

Research shows that using mobile apps and serious games can improve nutrition knowledge and encourage healthier eating habits. For example, the Foodbot Factory app significantly increased children's nutrition knowledge, suggesting that digital tools can be effective in teaching healthy nutrition. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the use of mobile apps and serious games for nutrition education safe for humans?

The research on mobile apps and serious games for nutrition education, such as Foodbot Factory and VitaVillage, primarily focuses on their effectiveness in improving nutrition knowledge among children. There is no specific mention of safety concerns, suggesting that these educational tools are generally considered safe for use in humans. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

How does the Foodbot Factory app differ from traditional nutrition education treatments?

The Foodbot Factory app is unique because it uses a serious game format to engage children in learning about healthy eating, incorporating interactive features like augmented reality and mini-games, which makes it more engaging and fun compared to traditional education methods. ^{1 2 4 6 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial will test the hypothesis that a digital curriculum-based nutrition education intervention using the Foodbot Factory serious game (i.e., a game designed for learning) leads to greater student engagement and learning about nutrition, compared to conventional nutrition education (e.g., worksheets), among students in Grades 4 and 5 in Ontario, Canada. This hypothesis is based on existing research suggesting that digital serious games, when well-integrated into the classroom setting, promote greater student engagement, learning and knowledge retention.

Research Team

JoAnne Arcand, PhD, RD

Principal Investigator

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Grade 4 and 5 classrooms in Ontario, Canada that haven't yet covered the 'Healthy Eating' part of their health curriculum. It's designed to see if a game-based app can make learning about nutrition more engaging for students.

Inclusion Criteria

Classroom is located in a participating school board in Ontario

Grade 4, 4/5 or 5 classroom

Exclusion Criteria

Classroom has already covered the 'Healthy Eating' component of the Ontario Physical Health Education curriculum

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive nutrition education lessons using either the Foodbot Factory serious game or conventional learning materials for 35-40 minutes a day for five consecutive days

1 week

5 sessions (in-class)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for retention of nutrition knowledge and changes in nutrition attitudes and behaviors

3 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Conventional nutrition education intervention
• Serious game nutrition education intervention

Trial Overview The study compares two ways of teaching kids about healthy eating: using a conventional method like worksheets versus an educational game called Foodbot Factory. The goal is to see which method gets students more interested and helps them learn better.

Participant Groups

Group I: Experimental (Foodbot Factory) Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Conventional nutrition education intervention is already approved in Canada for the following indications:

Approved in Canada as Conventional nutrition education for:

• General nutrition education for children

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Lead Sponsor

Trials

10

Recruited

10,400+

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+

Findings from Research

A scoping review of 22 publications on nutrition education games found that while most studies reported positive outcomes in dietary behavior change and knowledge, the overall quality of research was poor, limiting the ability to conduct a meta-analysis.

The review highlights the need for more rigorous research to better evaluate the effectiveness of these games in promoting healthy dietary behaviors, as current studies show significant diversity in design and outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutrition Education and Dietary Behavior Change Games: A Scoping Review. Baranowski, T., Ryan, C., Hoyos-Cespedes, A., et al.[2023]

A systematic review of nutrition apps found that while they can lead to increased adherence to diet monitoring and some weight loss advantages, the evidence is limited, with only four studies meeting the inclusion criteria.

Most studies focused on weight loss rather than improving nutrition knowledge, and the outcomes were inconsistent, indicating a need for further research that incorporates behavioral theories into app design.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of mobile apps to improve nutrition outcomes: A systematic literature review. DiFilippo, KN., Huang, WH., Andrade, JE., et al.[2022]

The Nutri-Expert nutritional education software significantly improved dietetic knowledge among obese patients compared to traditional management, as shown in a study with 557 participants over one year.

Both the Nutri-Expert group and the traditional management group experienced significant improvements in BMI and dietary habits, indicating that while Nutri-Expert enhances knowledge, it does not lead to greater weight loss compared to standard care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multicenter randomized evaluation of a nutritional education software in obese patients. Turnin, MC., Bourgeois, O., Cathelineau, G., et al.[2016]

The Foodbot Factory serious game significantly improved children's overall nutrition knowledge, with scores increasing from 10.3 to 13.5 in the game group compared to a slight increase in the control group, indicating its effectiveness as an educational tool.

Children using Foodbot Factory showed notable gains in specific areas of nutrition knowledge, including Vegetables and Fruits, Protein Foods, and Whole Grain Foods, suggesting that the game effectively teaches key components of Canada's Food Guide.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effectiveness of the Foodbot Factory Mobile Serious Game on Increasing Nutrition Knowledge in Children. Froome, HM., Townson, C., Rhodes, S., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 442 healthy Dutch adults, computer-tailored nutrition education delivered via CD-ROM or print did not lead to significant changes in objective health outcomes, such as blood lipid levels, compared to a generic information condition.

Despite previous self-reported data suggesting benefits, this study highlights the need for more effective computer-tailored nutrition interventions and emphasizes the importance of using objective measures to evaluate their impact.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biomarker evaluation does not confirm efficacy of computer-tailored nutrition education. Kroeze, W., Dagnelie, PC., Heymans, MW., et al.[2015]

The updated Foodbot Factory app, designed to teach children about healthy eating, was positively received by 19 child testers, with 89% finding it easy to use and 95% finding it fun, indicating its potential as an effective educational tool.

The revision process incorporated feedback from experts and stakeholders, resulting in 19 learning objectives and new interactive features like augmented reality and mini-games, enhancing engagement and accessibility for all users.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Updating the Foodbot Factory serious game with new interactive engaging features and enhanced educational content. Franco-Arellano, B., Brown, JM., Daggett, Q., et al.[2023]

The serious game 'VitaVillage' significantly improved nutrition knowledge in children aged 9-12, with an average increase of 2.25 points in knowledge scores after just two 20-minute sessions, compared to a control group that received no education.

Children found the game enjoyable, scoring an average of 77 out of 100 on likeability, suggesting that it could be an effective and engaging tool for nutrition education.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and Acceptability of 'VitaVillage': A Serious Game for Nutrition Education. de Vlieger, NM., Sainsbury, L., Smith, SP., et al.[2022]

The pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of the serious game 'Fit, Food, Fun' (FFF) in improving nutritional knowledge among 39 children and adolescents, showing significant improvements in both the gameplay and traditional teaching groups.

While both methods were effective, the traditional teaching approach resulted in a greater increase in nutritional knowledge compared to the FFF game, suggesting that while FFF is a promising educational tool, traditional methods may be more effective in the short term.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short-Term Effects of the Serious Game "Fit, Food, Fun" on Nutritional Knowledge: A Pilot Study among Children and Adolescents. Holzmann, SL., Schäfer, H., Groh, G., et al.[2020]

The SAlBi educa app, designed with input from healthcare and nutrition professionals, was evaluated for usability and found to be user-friendly, with 94% of participants finding it easy to learn and 59% describing it as pleasant.

In a 1-month pilot test with 39 participants, over 84% reported that the nutritional messages were clear and useful, highlighting the app's potential to effectively promote healthy eating habits based on the Mediterranean diet.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SAlBi educa (Tailored Nutrition App for Improving Dietary Habits): Initial Evaluation of Usability. Gonzalez-Ramirez, M., Cejudo-Lopez, A., Lozano-Navarrete, M., et al.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutrition Education and Dietary Behavior Change Games: A Scoping Review. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of mobile apps to improve nutrition outcomes: A systematic literature review. [2022]

3. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multicenter randomized evaluation of a nutritional education software in obese patients. [2016]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effectiveness of the Foodbot Factory Mobile Serious Game on Increasing Nutrition Knowledge in Children. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biomarker evaluation does not confirm efficacy of computer-tailored nutrition education. [2015]

6. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Updating the Foodbot Factory serious game with new interactive engaging features and enhanced educational content. [2023]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility and Acceptability of 'VitaVillage': A Serious Game for Nutrition Education. [2022]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short-Term Effects of the Serious Game "Fit, Food, Fun" on Nutritional Knowledge: A Pilot Study among Children and Adolescents. [2020]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SAlBi educa (Tailored Nutrition App for Improving Dietary Habits): Initial Evaluation of Usability. [2023]