Design and Implementation of a Mobile App for Promoting Healthy and Sustainable Eating Among Students at the University of Parma (MAPHealthS)

Summary

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile app (MAPHealthS) in promoting healthy and sustainable eating habits among university students at the University of Parma. The study aims to answer the following questions:

Does the use of the educational mobile app increase daily fiber intake among students?

Does the app improve adherence to sustainable and healthy diets (e.g., Mediterranean and Planetary diets)?

What are the effects of the app on physical activity levels, anthropometric measures, and the environmental impact of participants' diets?

Researchers will compare the intervention group (using the app) to a control group (no intervention) over a 12-week period, including a 6-week active phase and a 6-week follow-up phase.

Participants will:

Download and use the app (intervention group) or follow no intervention (control group) for 12 weeks.

Complete dietary assessments (24-hour recalls, food frequency questionnaires), provide urine and fecal samples, and undergo anthropometric measurements at multiple time points.

Wear actigraphs (a subgroup) to measure energy expenditure.

Answer questionnaires on dietary habits, physical activity, and app usability.

The study expects to see a significant increase in fiber intake (7g/day) and improved sustainability awareness among app users.

Conditions

• Dietary Fibers
• Environmental Impact
• Eating Habits

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Digital Nutrition Education Mobile App for Healthy and Sustainable Eating

This intervention is uniquely characterized by: Dual Health-Sustainability Focus - Unlike most nutrition apps targeting weight loss, this integrates planetary health metrics (e.g., carbon/water footprints) alongside dietary guidance. Psychobehavioral Personalization - Content is tailored to four predefined user profiles (e.g., "Convenience-Seeker," "Health-Conscious") identified through baseline questionnaires, adapting messaging strategies (e.g., time-saving tips vs. environmental appeals). Biomarker-Validated Outcomes - Unlike apps relying solely on self-reports, efficacy is assessed via objective measures (urinary LC-MS metabolomics, fecal microbiota analysis). Academic Development - Designed by nutrition scientists + AI engineers (University of Parma), with recipes aligned to Mediterranean/Planetary Diet standards

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Milano Bicocca

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Parma

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Francesca Scazzina · Università di Parma

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-11-04

Primary Completion

2025-04-29

Completion

2025-04-29

Countries

• Italy

Study Locations