College women are at risk for eating disorders, which have profound health impacts. Cross-sectional studies have shown that the use of dietary self-monitoring is associated with eating disorder risk among college students. However, causality cannot be established with cross-sectional studies. This study utilizes a randomized controlled trial design to examine how the use of a popular dietary self-monitoring smartphone application impacts college females' well-being, including eating disorder risk. We hypothesize those who are randomized to dietary self-monitoring will have a greater increase in eating disorder risk compared to the control group.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
200
Participants use a popular smartphone application to track their food and drink intake for one month.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Eating Disorder Risk
Eating disorder risk will be measured on a survey via the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Short Form (EDE-QS). The EDE-QS is a validated 12 question scale. Each question has a score range 0-3, and the average of all scores is the overall score. A higher score indicates higher risk.
Time frame: 30 days
Eating Disorder Risk
Measured via survey using the validated SCOFF questionnaire which consists of five questions. Each question is a yes/no and a yes receives one point with a total score ranging from 0-5. Higher scores indicate higher risk. Modified to ask about pounds instead of stone as a measure of weight.
Time frame: 30 days
Weight-Related Self-Monitoring
Measured via survey that includes single item measures asking about physical activity self-monitoring and self-weighing frequency.
Time frame: 30 days
Body Image
Assessed via survey using the validated 6 question Body Image States Scale (BISS). Scores are the mean of the six items, three of which are reverse coded. Higher scores mean better body image states.
Time frame: 30 days
Weight Stigma
Measured via survey using five single item questions.
Time frame: 30 days
Dietary Intake
Single item survey questions adapted from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
Time frame: 30 days
Physical Activity
Single item survey questions adapted from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and an open ended question for amount of time physically active.
Time frame: 30 days
Weight perception
Assessed using two questions on a survey pertaining to BMI category and weight.
Time frame: 30 days
Body changing intentions
Assessed using single item question on a survey asking how, if at all, participants wanted to change their body.
Time frame: 30 days
Social Media Use
Use of common social media sites assessed using five single item measures on a survey.
Time frame: 30 days
Weight
Blind weights taken on research grade laboratory scale.
Time frame: 30 days
Subjective Quality of Life
Assessed using the Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Scale (BBQ) on a survey. The BBQ has 12 questions, each ranging from 0-4. Higher scores indicate higher subjective quality of life.
Time frame: 30 days
Anxiety
State anxiety as measured via survey using the short-form of the state scale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The scale consists of 6 questions with a range of scores 1-4 for each question. Three positive questions are reverse coded and scores are added together with higher scores indicating higher state anxiety.
Time frame: 30 days
Depression Symptoms
Measured via survey using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R-10). The CESD-R-10 is a 10 item scale with each question having the possibility of a score 0-3. Two questions are reverse coded, then scores from each question are added to give an overall score. Higher scores indicate more depressive symptoms.
Time frame: 30 days
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