A Boost of Health: Effectiveness of a Personalized Communication Intervention to Increase Daily Fruit and Vegetable Intake

A Boost of Health: Effectiveness of a Personalized Communication Intervention Aimed at Increasing Daily Fruit and Vegetable Portions - A Study Within the PNRR 10 ON Foods Partnership

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a healthy diet promotion intervention focused on increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. The intervention is delivered via mobile application in a sample drawn from the healthy adult population.

The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a protocol designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, grounded in the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA).

The protocol was delivered via the MyPocketHealth app, developed by the research team, and incorporated different communication strategies. Participants were involved in setting a goal and choosing between a personalized or a standardized goal (5 daily portions), which could be reviewed at any time. Moreover, they received either interactive (HAPA-I: group 1) or non-interactive (HAPA-NI: group 2) daily notifications promoting the target behavior through HAPA constructs for 15 days, while also monitoring their daily fruit and vegetable consumption (self-monitoring). A third group engaged solely in self-monitoring without receiving any communication (no-communication group; No comm). Goal attainment was reinforced through badge awards (rewards).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals from the general population in good health
• Adequate level of education to understand study procedures and to use a smartphone
• Ownership and regular use of a smartphone

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medical conditions that contraindicate an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables
• Habitual consumption of five (or more) portions of fruit and vegetables per day at baseline