Pier2Peer: Development and Evaluation of a Socially-Connected Mobile App to Increase Fish Consumption
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Abstract
Background
Fish consumption is well documented as being protective against several chronic diseases, yet many people do not eat it sufficiently to achieve health benefits. Many people cite a lack of confidence in finding, selecting and cooking fish in ways that are acceptable to their families, while regular consumers appear to possess such confidence. Socially-connected mobile apps create an opportunity to facilitate knowledge sharing, and potentially increase healthy behaviours, including regular fish consumption.
Objective
To determine whether a socially-connected mobile application can be effective in promoting health behaviour change, and whether this effect can be empirically proven using data collected via the application itself.
Methods
The study was based on a framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions, proposed by the UK Medical Research Council. Further theoretical guidance was taken from the Behavioural Perspective Model (BPM), a consumer behaviour model based on the concepts of consumer learning history and purchase settings. The study comprised three phases.
Phase 1: Formative research
A literature review examined trends and themes in fish consumption behaviour, and previous examples of successful social media/electronic health interventions. Seven focus groups were conducted (n = 36) to further explore themes from the review. Questions were based on BPM categories, such as learning history, hedonic and informational reinforcements and punishers. Major themes were identified, compared and contrasted with themes from literature. Recommendations were outlined for application development.
Phase 2: Application development
A mobile application, called Pier2Peer, was designed and developed to specifically address the main barriers to consumption identified in the formative research. The app presented information for more than 200 Australian commercial fish species. It facilitated the sharing of information between users, including how to use various species, cooking tips, and the best places to source high quality fish. It enabled users to track their fish consumption, giving health feedback including omega-3 intake.
Phase 3: Application evaluation
A three-month controlled pilot study (test n = 50, control n = 50) will be conducted, where test participants have access to all features of the application and record their fish consumption in an in-app diary, while control group participants only record consumption. Fish consumption will be validated by taking and submitting a photo of the meal, facilitated within the app. Use of the app will be exhaustively documented, including fish consumption (amount, type, cooking method), time spent using the app, features used most often, variation between actual consumption time and reporting, and contributions to social functions of the app. Fish consumption data will be analysed, looking for significant variation between test and control groups. Further analysis will be made of correlations between different app use patterns and consumption changes, to better understand the most/least effective aspects of the application.
Conclusions and recommendations will be made for the development and evaluation of mobile apps with a focus on promoting healthy behaviour.
Results
Research in progress (data to be collected May – July 2014). Results will be presented.
Conclusion
Research in progress
Fish consumption is well documented as being protective against several chronic diseases, yet many people do not eat it sufficiently to achieve health benefits. Many people cite a lack of confidence in finding, selecting and cooking fish in ways that are acceptable to their families, while regular consumers appear to possess such confidence. Socially-connected mobile apps create an opportunity to facilitate knowledge sharing, and potentially increase healthy behaviours, including regular fish consumption.
Objective
To determine whether a socially-connected mobile application can be effective in promoting health behaviour change, and whether this effect can be empirically proven using data collected via the application itself.
Methods
The study was based on a framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions, proposed by the UK Medical Research Council. Further theoretical guidance was taken from the Behavioural Perspective Model (BPM), a consumer behaviour model based on the concepts of consumer learning history and purchase settings. The study comprised three phases.
Phase 1: Formative research
A literature review examined trends and themes in fish consumption behaviour, and previous examples of successful social media/electronic health interventions. Seven focus groups were conducted (n = 36) to further explore themes from the review. Questions were based on BPM categories, such as learning history, hedonic and informational reinforcements and punishers. Major themes were identified, compared and contrasted with themes from literature. Recommendations were outlined for application development.
Phase 2: Application development
A mobile application, called Pier2Peer, was designed and developed to specifically address the main barriers to consumption identified in the formative research. The app presented information for more than 200 Australian commercial fish species. It facilitated the sharing of information between users, including how to use various species, cooking tips, and the best places to source high quality fish. It enabled users to track their fish consumption, giving health feedback including omega-3 intake.
Phase 3: Application evaluation
A three-month controlled pilot study (test n = 50, control n = 50) will be conducted, where test participants have access to all features of the application and record their fish consumption in an in-app diary, while control group participants only record consumption. Fish consumption will be validated by taking and submitting a photo of the meal, facilitated within the app. Use of the app will be exhaustively documented, including fish consumption (amount, type, cooking method), time spent using the app, features used most often, variation between actual consumption time and reporting, and contributions to social functions of the app. Fish consumption data will be analysed, looking for significant variation between test and control groups. Further analysis will be made of correlations between different app use patterns and consumption changes, to better understand the most/least effective aspects of the application.
Conclusions and recommendations will be made for the development and evaluation of mobile apps with a focus on promoting healthy behaviour.
Results
Research in progress (data to be collected May – July 2014). Results will be presented.
Conclusion
Research in progress
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