Development of a mobile app for personalized dietary monitoring and feedback

Thesis Abstract

The increasing prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases underscores the urgent need for innovative tools to promote optimal nutritional behavior and self-management. This study aims to develop a mobile application that offers personalized dietary monitoring and real-time feedback to enhance users’ dietary choices and adherence to nutrition guidelines. The specific objectives are to design and implement a user-centered mobile app, evaluate its usability and effectiveness in modifying dietary habits, and identify user factors influencing engagement and outcomes. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates both qualitative and quantitative approaches to gather comprehensive data. The quantitative component involves a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a sample of 300 adult participants aged 18–65 years recruited from urban community health centers. Participants are randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which uses the mobile app for 12 weeks, or a control group receiving standard nutritional advice. Data collection instruments include a structured questionnaire assessing demographic variables, dietary habits, and technology use, alongside dietary intake assessments through 24-hour recalls and food diaries. The qualitative component comprises semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 30 intervention participants to explore user experiences, perceived benefits, and barriers to app usage. Data analysis employs descriptive statistics to characterize the sample, paired t-tests and ANCOVA to evaluate changes in dietary behavior pre- and post-intervention, and multiple regression analysis to identify predictors of sustained engagement. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts is conducted using NVivo software to extract emergent themes related to user motivation, usability, and perceived impact. The app's development is guided by behavioral change theories such as the Social Cognitive Theory and the Transtheoretical Model, which inform the personalization algorithms and feedback mechanisms incorporated into the system. Expected findings include statistically significant improvements in dietary quality and adherence to recommended nutritional guidelines among app users compared to controls. The study also anticipates identifying key user characteristics, including motivation levels and technology literacy, that influence engagement and dietary outcomes. The qualitative insights are expected to elucidate user experiences, inform app refinements, and highlight practical challenges in digital dietary interventions. This research contributes to existing knowledge by demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of a tailored mobile app for dietary monitoring, thereby advancing digital health interventions within the field of human nutrition and dietetics. The integration of behavioral theories into app design provides a theoretical foundation for personalized nutrition strategies, offering a replicable framework for future digital health innovations. The study concludes that a well-designed mobile application can significantly enhance dietary self-management and facilitate sustainable behavioral change. Recommendations include integrating the app into broader health promotion programs, exploring long-term adherence, and conducting cost-benefit analyses to inform scalability. Future research should examine the app’s applicability across diverse populations and refine algorithms based on longitudinal user data to optimize personalization and effectiveness.