Digital diet intervention for adolescents with overweight or obesity

Digital Intervention to Improve Diet Quality in Adolescents With Overweight or Obesity

Not applicable Interventional Children's Hospital of Philadelphia · NCT06082830

This study is testing if a mobile app can help teenagers aged 14-17 who are overweight or obese improve their eating habits and overall diet quality.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment210 (estimated)
Ages14 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia Academic / other
Locations1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Trial IDNCT06082830 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a mobile health intervention designed to improve diet quality among adolescents aged 14-17 years who are overweight or obese. Participants will engage in a two-arm randomized controlled trial, completing dietary recalls, providing urine samples, and using continuous glucose monitors and activity trackers. The study will compare the control and intervention groups to assess improvements in diet quality and meal timing traits. The overarching goal is to determine if a digital-based approach can effectively enhance dietary habits in this population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 14-17 years with a body mass index between the 85th and 99th percentile and a Healthy Eating Index score below 80.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of eating disorders or conditions that significantly alter dietary intake may not benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could lead to improved dietary habits and better health outcomes for adolescents struggling with overweight or obesity.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that digital-based interventions can improve dietary intake in adolescents, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 14-17 years old.
* At risk for diet quality that is poor or needs improvement (HEI score \< 80) determined by participants baseline 24-hour diet recall data.
* Body mass index between the 85th and 99th percentile for age and sex on at least two occasions at least six months apart in the medical record in the last five years.
* Have access to a phone capable of receiving text messages.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of an eating disorder diagnosis (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder).
* History of a condition that may alter dietary intake (e.g., diabetes, Celiac's disease, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis).
* Regularly taking medications that may result in weight loss, appetite stimulation or suppression, and/or fluctuations in fluid status.
* Currently being followed by a registered dietitian.
* Pregnant or lactating females.
* Have a parent, guardian, or family member that works for the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at CHOP.

Where this trial is running

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Adolescent ObesityAdolescent OverweightDiet, Healthy
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.