The goal of this clinical trial is to improve the health of workers at their worksite by providing subsidized healthy meals supported by nutrition education and behavioral nudges using mobile health and Bluetooth technology. The aim of this study is to: Randomize 240 individuals in 8-10 worksites to either Good Bowls alone or Good Bowls + Phone App nudges. Using a crossover design, the primary outcome is the score on a validated Mediterranean diet screener, with secondary outcomes including weight, blood pressure, carotenoid levels, and food security. Participants: Workers at blue and white-collar worksites. Procedures: Workers will be recruited from 8-10 worksites who will be initially randomized within each site to Good Bowls alone or Good Bowls + Phone App nudges. Initial assignment will be followed for four months, after which the groups will crossover for the subsequent four months. The investigators will collect survey data as well as some physiologic measures including skin scanning (non-invasive), weight, and blood pressure. Effects between groups will be determined.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
240
Healthy, frozen subsidized meals are made conveniently available on worksites.
Healthy, frozen subsidized meals are made conveniently available on worksites. Additionally, Bluetooth enabled beacons will be set up at each worksite that will send location specific messages to an individual's Smartphone via an App. These messages will include nutritional information, tips, and behavioral nudges.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
Change in nutrition as measured by the Mediterranean Diet 14-Item Screener Score
A slightly adapted version of the Mediterranean Diet 14-item validated screener will be used for nutritional assessment. The score ranges from 0-14, with a higher score indicating higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet.
Time frame: Baseline, 4 months
Change in nutrition as measured by the Mediterranean Diet 14-Item Screener Score
A slightly adapted version of the Mediterranean Diet 14-item validated screener will be used for nutritional assessment. The score ranges from 0-14, with a higher score indicating higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet.
Time frame: 4 months, 8 months
Change in nutrition as measured by the Mediterranean Diet 14-Item Screener Score
A slightly adapted version of the Mediterranean Diet 14-item validated screener will be used for nutritional assessment. The score ranges from 0-14, with a higher score indicating higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet.
Time frame: Baseline, 8 months
Change in weight
Weight in pounds as measured by electronic scale as the average of two measures. SECA 874dr scales will be used and assessed with standardized weights monthly for accuracy. Assessed at baseline (i.e., pre-intervention), 4 months (i.e., before crossover), 8 months (i.e., post-intervention).
Time frame: Up to 8 months
Change in blood pressure
Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic in mmHg) as measured by non-invasive automated monitor (Omron HEM-907XL, Vernon Hills, IL) with a first measure after seated for 5 minutes and 2 repeat measures at 1-minute intervals. Assessed at baseline (i.e., pre-intervention), 4 months (i.e., before crossover), 8 months (i.e., post-intervention).
Time frame: Up to 8 months
Change in skin carotenoids
Skin carotenoids as measured by a Reflection Spectroscopy Device ("Veggie Meter"™) placed on the participant's finger for a simple scan for three separate trials. Scores range from 0-800 arbitrary units with higher estimated value indicating greater carotenoid concentrations. Assessed at baseline (i.e., pre-intervention), 4 months (i.e., before crossover), 8 months (i.e., post-intervention).
Time frame: Up to 8 months
Change in food security
Food security as measured by the 2-Item Food Security Screening Tool. The two item response categories are: "Often True," "Sometimes True," "Never True" or "Don't Know" for the past 12 months. Often true and sometimes true are categorized as food insecure.
Time frame: Up to 8 months
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