Researchers in Canada created a smartphone app called SmartAPPetite for Youth designed to help teenagers make better food choices. The app sent helpful messages about healthy eating and nudged users when they were near stores. In a test with 54 teenagers over 8 weeks, most said the app was helpful and would recommend it to friends. While the results are promising, this was just a small test run to see if the app works before doing a bigger study. The findings suggest that apps on phones could be a useful tool to help young people improve their eating habits and learn more about nutrition.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a smartphone app could help teenagers learn about healthy eating and make better food choices through reminder messages and location-based tips
  • Who participated: 54 Canadian teenagers, age 14, from one secondary school in London, Ontario who completed the 8-week study
  • Key finding: Most participants (majority of the 54 teens) reported that the app helped them and said they would recommend it to friends. The app appeared to help with food knowledge, what they bought at stores, and what they ate
  • What it means for you: Smartphone apps may be a helpful way for teenagers to learn about nutrition and make healthier food choices. However, this was a small test, so larger studies are needed before we can be confident about how much the app actually helps

The Research Details

This was a pilot study, which means it was a small test to see if an idea works before doing a bigger, more rigorous study. Researchers gave 54 teenagers a smartphone app for 8 weeks. The app sent up to 3 helpful messages per day about healthy eating at specific times, and up to 5 location-based messages that appeared when teens were near stores. Before and after the 8 weeks, teenagers answered surveys about their eating habits, food knowledge, and what they bought. Researchers also asked teens what they liked about the app and what could be improved.

Testing an app on a small group first helps researchers understand if it works, if people will actually use it, and what needs to be fixed before spending money and time on a large study. This approach saves resources and improves the chances that a bigger study will be successful

This was a small, early-stage study without a comparison group, so we can’t be certain the app caused the improvements. The study had good participation (54 out of 59 who started finished it), which is a positive sign. However, because it’s small and only tested in one school, the results may not apply to all teenagers everywhere. This is intentionally a preliminary study meant to test feasibility, not to prove the app works

What the Results Show

Of 108 teenagers who were eligible, 59 agreed to participate and 54 completed the full 8-week study. Most participants reported that the app benefitted them and said they would recommend it to a friend. Teenagers reported that the app helped them learn more about food and nutrition. The survey results suggested the app may have influenced what food knowledge teens had, what they chose to buy at stores, and what they actually ate. Participants generally liked using the app and found it easy to interact with.

Researchers gathered feedback on what teenagers liked about the app and what could be improved. This information will help make the app better for future studies. The study identified specific changes needed in the app design, the way the study should be run, and the tools used to measure success before doing a larger test

This study adds to growing evidence that smartphone apps can be useful tools for helping young people make healthier choices. Previous research suggested apps could work, but this is one of the first to test this specific approach with Canadian teenagers. The results align with other studies showing that reminders and location-based messages can influence behavior

This was a small study with only 54 teenagers from one school, so results may not apply to all teens. There was no comparison group (like a group that didn’t use the app), so we can’t be sure the app caused the improvements rather than other factors. The study only lasted 8 weeks, so we don’t know if benefits continue longer. Teenagers who agreed to participate may have been more interested in healthy eating than those who didn’t, which could make results seem better than they really are

The Bottom Line

Based on this pilot study, smartphone apps appear to be a promising tool for helping teenagers improve their eating habits. However, confidence in this recommendation is moderate because this was a small, early-stage test. A larger, more rigorous study is needed before making strong recommendations. Teenagers interested in improving their diet may find a nutrition app helpful as one tool among others like talking to parents, school nutrition education, and consulting healthcare providers

Teenagers interested in learning about nutrition and making healthier food choices may benefit from this type of app. Parents and school health programs may find this useful for supporting teen health. Healthcare providers working with adolescents should be aware that apps may help reinforce nutrition messages. This study is less relevant for very young children or adults, though similar apps might work for them too

In this 8-week study, teenagers reported noticing benefits relatively quickly. However, building lasting healthy eating habits typically takes longer than 8 weeks. Realistic expectations would be to see small improvements in food knowledge within weeks, but meaningful changes in actual eating patterns may take several months of consistent use

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food purchases and meals logged in the app, comparing what you buy and eat week-to-week to see if you’re gradually choosing more nutritious options
  • Set up app notifications for times you typically snack or shop, and use the location-based nudges when near grocery stores to remind yourself to check nutrition labels and choose healthier options
  • Review your app activity monthly to see which types of messages help you most, adjust notification times if needed, and track changes in your food knowledge by retaking any in-app nutrition quizzes every 4 weeks

This was a small pilot study testing whether an app is feasible and acceptable, not a full test of whether it actually improves health. Results are promising but not definitive. Before making major changes to your diet or relying on an app as your main source of nutrition information, talk to a doctor, registered dietitian, or other healthcare provider. Apps should complement, not replace, guidance from qualified health professionals. Individual results may vary, and what works for one person may not work for another.