feasibility and effectiveness of smartphone text delivered nutrition education in the college setting a mixed methods pilot study

Objective:  To examine the feasibility and efficacy of using smartphones to provide nutrition education to college students.  Participants:  9 randomized, overweight students between 18-22 years old, attending a small California public university from 9/15/15 to 12/2/15.  Methods:  Mixed-method study comparing face-to-face and smartphone-based methods of delivering nutrition information.  Results:  No statistically significant difference was noted in weight, or improvement in health behaviors, including number of fruits and vegetables consumed daily, hours of sleep per day, and high-calorie drinks consumed daily between the two groups. Qualitative interview data revealed participants in the text group expressed a need for using texting, that it led to them changing their health behaviors, and that they would recommend it to others.  Conclusions:  Although further research is recommended to assess efficacy, initial study findings indicate delivery of nutrition information via text format is a feasible.  Keywords:  Education; Health; Nutrition; Obese; Smartphone; Text Message; Weight Loss