A randomized controlled trial examining consumers' perceptions and opinions on using different versions of a FoodFlip© smartphone application for delivery of nutrition information.
Affiliation Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Science Building, 1 King's College Circle, Room 5368, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada. [Email]
Abstract BACKGROUND : Food labelling is a common intervention to improve diets, where the back-of-pack Nutrition Information Panel (or Nutrition Facts table (NFt)) provides comprehensive nutrition information on food packages. However, many consumers find it difficult and time-consuming to identify healthier foods using the NFt. As a result, different interpretative nutrition rating systems (INRS) may enable healthier food choices and it is essential that consumers have the tools to allow for easily accessible nutrition information. The objective of this study was to examine consumers' perceptions of different (INRS) for delivery of nutrition information using different versions of a smartphone app, FoodFlip©.METHODS : This study was part of a larger randomized controlled trial examining consumer perceptions of different INRS on food products. A nationally representative commercial sample of 2008 Canadians were randomized to one of four INRS intervention groups: 1) traffic light, 2) health star rating, 3) 'high-in' warning labels or 4) no INRS (NFt only; control) and asked to scan or enter 20 products into FoodFlip© from a list of food products provided to them with varying levels of healthfulness. After completing the app task, participants were asked a series of 7-point Likert-scale and open-ended questions to provide opinions on the usability and functionality of the app.RESULTS : Of the survey sample of 1997 participants, 95% (n = 1907) completed the app task, with similar number of participants in each treatment group. The mean age was 40 ± 12 years with no differences in sociodemographic characteristics between treatment groups. The health star rating ranked significantly lower in comparison to the other treatment groups in terms of usefulness (OR, 95% CI -0.67, 0.52-0.85), believability (0.59, 0.46-0.75), and understanding (0.55, 0.44-0.71) (p < 0.001). The health star rating (1.20, 0.94-1.53) and control (NFt) (1,1,1) ranked significantly lower than the traffic light or the 'high-in' warning labels for their ability to compare the healthfulness of products (p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS : This study demonstrated Canadian consumers' preference for a nutrient-specific system (i.e. traffic light or 'high-in' warning labels). The app, which was liked by majority of the participants for its functionality and usability, has the potential to support healthy dietary decision making and may also encourage reformulation.BACKGROUND : NCT03290118 (Clinicaltrials.gov).
Keywords Front-of-pack labelling,Interpretative nutrition rating system,Mobile health,Smartphone application,
Author: Emma Vartanian Perioperative Compartment Syndrome After Free Flap Reconstruction: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Author: Costantine Daher Wild Daucus Carota Oil Extract: An Innocuous Preventative and Chemotherapeutic Agent Against Chemically Induced
Author: WANGJUN Caveolin-1 inhibits proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cell via inactivating BMI-1
Author: Yunusa Bello M Application of RSM in modelling and Numerical optimisation of proximate composition of instant Extruded kunun-gyada(porr
Author: Namam Muhammed Salih Scanning the Lower Cretaceous carbonate rocks utilizing stable isotopes and petrographic records
Author: John W. Reeder Geologic aspects (faults, landslides and volcanic dikes) of the Nateekin River shallow earthquake swarm of 15 June 2020
Author: Robert Hartmann Janeway lesions as the primary sign of an infected radial artery aneurysm after cannulation
Author: Raghu Vishweswaraiah Spore germination-enzyme inhibition assay for rapid detection of Pesticide residue in milk
Author: Soo Peng Koh SCOBY papaya beverages induce gut microbiome interaction as potential antiobesity in weight management control supplemen
Author: Shoulei Yan Purification and Clean-up of 3-NPA from Sugarcane by using Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Solid Phase Extraction Coupled