Efficacy of technology-based personalised feedback on diet quality in young Australian adults: results for the advice, ideas and motivation for my eating (Aim4Me) randomised controlled trial

Rebecca L Haslam; Jennifer N Baldwin; Kristine Pezdirc; Helen Truby; John Attia; Melinda J Hutchesson; Tracy Burrows; Robin Callister; Leanne Hides; Billie Bonevski; Deborah A Kerr; Sharon I Kirkpatrick; Megan E Rollo; Tracy A McCaffrey; Clare E Collins

doi:10.1017/S1368980023000253

Public Health Nutrition (Jun 2023)

Efficacy of technology-based personalised feedback on diet quality in young Australian adults: results for the advice, ideas and motivation for my eating (Aim4Me) randomised controlled trial

Rebecca L Haslam,
Jennifer N Baldwin,
Kristine Pezdirc,
Helen Truby,
John Attia,
Melinda J Hutchesson,
Tracy Burrows,
Robin Callister,
Leanne Hides,
Billie Bonevski,
Deborah A Kerr,
Sharon I Kirkpatrick,
Megan E Rollo,
Tracy A McCaffrey,
Clare E Collins

Affiliations

Rebecca L Haslam: School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan 2308, Australia Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia
Jennifer N Baldwin: ORCiD; School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan 2308, Australia Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia
Kristine Pezdirc: School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan 2308, Australia Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
Helen Truby: School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia
John Attia: School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
Melinda J Hutchesson: School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan 2308, Australia Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia
Tracy Burrows: School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan 2308, Australia Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia
Robin Callister: Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
Leanne Hides: School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Billie Bonevski: School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
Deborah A Kerr: ORCiD; School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
Sharon I Kirkpatrick: ORCiD; School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
Megan E Rollo: School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
Tracy A McCaffrey: Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Notting Hill, Australia
Clare E Collins: School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan 2308, Australia Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980023000253
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 26
pp. 1293 – 1305

Abstract

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Abstract Objective: Web-based dietary interventions could support healthy eating. The Advice, Ideas and Motivation for My Eating (Aim4Me) trial investigated the impact of three levels of personalised web-based dietary feedback on diet quality in young adults. Secondary aims were to investigate participant retention, engagement and satisfaction. Design: Randomised controlled trial. Setting: Web-based intervention for young adults living in Australia. Participants: 18–24-year-olds recruited across Australia were randomised to Group 1 (control: brief diet quality feedback), Group 2 (comprehensive feedback on nutritional adequacy + website nutrition resources) or Group 3 (30-min dietitian consultation + Group 2 elements). Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS) was the primary outcome. The ARFS subscales and percentage energy from nutrient-rich foods (secondary outcomes) were analysed at 3, 6 and 12 months using generalised linear mixed models. Engagement was measured with usage statistics and satisfaction with a process evaluation questionnaire. Results: Participants (n 1005, 85 % female, mean age 21·7 ± 2·0 years) were randomised to Group 1 (n 343), Group 2 (n 325) and Group 3 (n 337). Overall, 32 (3 %), 88 (9 %) and 141 (14 %) participants were retained at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Only fifty-two participants (15 % of Group 3) completed the dietitian consultation. No significant group-by-time interactions were observed (P > 0·05). The proportion of participants who visited the thirteen website pages ranged from 0·6 % to 75 %. Half (Group 2 = 53 %, Group 3 = 52 %) of participants who completed the process evaluation (Group 2, n 111; Group 3, n 90) were satisfied with the programme. Conclusion: Recruiting and retaining young adults in web-based dietary interventions are challenging. Future research should consider ways to optimise these interventions, including co-design methods.

Published in Public Health Nutrition

ISSN: 1368-9800 (Print); 1475-2727 (Online)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine; Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Nutritional diseases. Deficiency diseases
Website: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition

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