@Article{info:doi/10.2196/43160,
author="Shatwan, Israa M
and Alhefani, Rabab  S
and Bukhari, Mawadah F
and Hanbazazah, Danah A
and Srour, Jumanah K
and Surendran, Shelini
and Aljefree, Najlaa M
and Almoraie, Noha M",
title="Effects of a Smartphone App on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Saudi Adolescents: Randomized Controlled Trial",
journal="JMIR Pediatr Parent",
year="2023",
month="Feb",
day="9",
volume="6",
pages="e43160",
keywords="smartphone app; fruit and vegetable consumption; Saudi Arabia; adolescents; nutrition; health outcome; digital health intervention; digital health app; pediatrics; youth",
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 ",
issn="2561-6722",
doi="10.2196/43160",
url="https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2023/1/e43160",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/43160",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36757770"
}