CompletedNot Applicable

Piloting a Web-based Personalised Nutrition App (eNutri) with UK University Students

United Kingdom50 participantsStarted 2022-09-20

Plain-language summary

University students account for 50% of the UK young adult population and dietary assessment of this population is crucial in understanding the dietary changes that may occur as they transition to university and adulthood. At this time, many students will leave home for the first time and become responsible for their dietary intake through food shopping and meal preparation. The limited body of evidence in this population group suggests that starting university may be associated with weight gain and the adoption of unhealthful dietary patterns however the extent of these changes may vary based on gender, cooking ability and grocery budget, to name a few. Furthermore, dietary guidance is not typically given to university students although evidence suggests that personalised nutrition advice based on an individual's habitual dietary intake could help to provide the education and support needed for individuals to adopt a healthier diet. This student pilot study will test whether providing university students with eNutri personalised nutrition advice (intervention group) has a differential impact on diet quality in UK university students compared with those who do not receive any advice (control group) after a 4-week intervention period. 50 university students will use eNutri to record their dietary intake before being randomly allocated to the control or intervention group. After 4 weeks, both groups will repeat the eNutri food and drink questionnaire. Those in the intervention group will also be invited to complete a follow-up questionnaire after a further 8 weeks.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Solely responsible for their own meal preparation and/or food purchases (includes catered and non-catered students) * Studying at the University of Reading or University of Hertfordshire, UK * Student in any year of study * 18 years or older * Able to read and understand written English without difficulties * Able to access eNutri using a suitable device (laptop, computer, tablet, or smartphone) with access to the internet * Have an active email address * Willing to complete online questionnaires and interact with eNutri on multiple occasions Exclusion Criteria: * Students who are not studying full time in-person at university in the academic year 2022-2023 (e.g., part-time students, apprenticeship students or those on a work placement) * Students whose food choices are in part influenced/determined by others (e.g., students who live with parents, partner, or children during term time, including those who return home every weekend) * Those reliant on meals where there is limited choice/alternative options (e.g., Recipe boxes such as Gousto, Hello Fresh and Mindful Chef, or those who eat frozen meals brought from home); catered students can take part. * Pregnant, lactating or planning a pregnancy within the next 4 months * Food allergies to dairy, nuts/seeds and/or fish/shellfish * Medical conditions/treatments that have a considerable impact on an individual's diet/appetite on a day-to-day basis (e.g., severe gastrointestinal disorders) * Have a curre…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Diet quality score (DQS)

Timeframe: Baseline

Diet quality score (DQS)

Timeframe: Week 4

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05544461

SponsorUniversity of Reading

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2023-04-11

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