Effects of a Smartphone App on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Saudi Adolescents: Randomized Controlled Trial

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 app called MyPlate. Methods This randomized intervention study was conducted in an urban area of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We included 104 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years, who were randomized into intervention (n=55) or control (n=49) arms. We examined the effects of MyPlate on fruit and vegetable intake over 6 weeks in the intervention group. Pre- and postintervention questionnaires were used in the intervention and control groups. Results The control group showed a significant increase in fruit consumption scores between baseline (1.15, SD 0.68) and postintervention (1.64, SD 0.98; P=.01), but no significant difference in vegetable consumption scores was observed before (1.44, SD 0.97) and after intervention (1.55, SD 0.90; P=.54). However, there was no significant difference between scores at baseline and after 6 weeks of using the smartphone app for fruit (1.48, SD 0.99 and 1.70, SD 1.11, respectively; P=.31) or vegetables (1.50, SD 0.97 and 1.43, SD 1.03, respectively; P=.30) in the intervention group. Our findings showed no significant impact of using a smartphone app on fruit and vegetable consumption. Conclusions These findings suggest that a smartphone app did not significantly improve fruit and vegetable intake among adolescents. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05692765; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05692765