A mobile app to track dietary intake in real-time

Mobile Ecological Momentary Diet Assessment: A Low Burden, Ecologically-Valid Approach to Measuring Dietary Intake in Near-Real Time

NIH-funded research Georgetown University · NIH-11057675

This study is testing a new app that helps people keep track of how much saturated fat and added sugar they eat throughout the day, making it easier to manage their diet and improve their health.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionGeorgetown University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Washington, United States)
Project IDNIH-11057675 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new mobile application designed to help individuals track their dietary intake of saturated fats and added sugars in near-real time. By utilizing ecological momentary assessment (EMA), the app sends brief surveys throughout the day, allowing users to report their food consumption more accurately and frequently. This approach aims to reduce the cognitive burden and recall bias associated with traditional dietary assessment methods, ultimately leading to better understanding and management of dietary habits. The goal is to provide insights that can inform more effective dietary interventions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over the age of 21 who are interested in monitoring their dietary intake and making healthier food choices.

Not a fit: Patients who are not interested in using mobile technology or who have severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved dietary tracking and healthier eating habits, potentially reducing the risk of diet-related diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using mobile EMA methods for dietary assessment have shown promise in improving accuracy and user engagement, indicating that this approach is both innovative and supported by prior success.

Where this research is happening

Washington, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.