An mHealth intervention to increase fruit and vegetable intake in a student population

Abstract

Background: To investigate if a smartphone application (App) designed to promote goal-setting, self-monitoring and social support can increase perceived behavioural control (PBC) for fruit and vegetable intake (FVI), intentions to increase FVI, and increase levels of FVI Methods: A mixed methods, single blind design was conducted. Participants were 152 registered students at an Irish University. Seventy-five per cent of the sample was female (n=113). The age range was 17-57 years (M = 26.39, SD = 8.34). FVI was assessed using a modified version of the SLÃN-06 food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Intention, PBC and perceived social support (PSS) were measured using self-report scales. Findings: The use of an app significantly increased participants’ intentions to improve their FVI. Overall participants in the experimental group experienced the highest increase in perceived social support for FVI. App use did not significantly increase Perceived behavioural control (PBC). Discussion: While the current study suggests that the App enhanced FVI intentions, further research is needed to better understand how Apps can be used to translate this into behaviour change.