Researchers are testing a new interactive online platform called ePro-Schools designed to help teenagers in disadvantaged communities develop healthier eating and exercise habits through their schools. According to Gram Research analysis, this randomized controlled trial will involve approximately 1,000 Spanish students across six schools, comparing those with access to the full interactive platform against those receiving only basic health information. The study will measure changes in physical activity, eating habits, mental health, and quality of life over six months, with results expected to show whether digital tools can effectively reduce health inequalities in under-resourced areas.
Researchers in Spain are testing a new online platform called ePro-Schools designed to help teenagers develop healthier habits around food and exercise. The program is being tested in schools serving disadvantaged communities where students often lack access to health resources. According to Gram Research analysis, this study will involve about 1,000 students across six schools, with some schools getting the full interactive platform while others receive basic health information. The researchers will track changes in students’ physical activity, eating habits, mental health, and overall quality of life over six months. If successful, this approach could help reduce health inequalities and improve teen wellness by making healthy lifestyle support available right at school.
Key Statistics
A 2026 randomized controlled trial protocol published in BMC Public Health describes the ePro-Schools project, which will test an interactive eHealth platform with approximately 1,000 secondary school students across six schools in Central Catalonia, Spain.
The ePro-Schools study will measure physical activity, eating habits, depressive symptoms, quality of life, and social isolation at baseline, post-intervention, and six-month follow-up to determine whether co-designed digital platforms can improve adolescent health in disadvantaged communities.
Researchers conducting the ePro-Schools project emphasize that the intervention was co-designed with students, teachers, and parents to ensure the platform addresses real needs and increases engagement among teenagers in socially disadvantaged settings.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether an interactive online platform delivered through schools can help teenagers in disadvantaged areas eat healthier and exercise more regularly.
- Who participated: Approximately 1,000 secondary school students (ages 12-16) from Central Catalonia, Spain, attending six different schools in socially disadvantaged communities.
- Key finding: This is a study protocol paper describing the planned research rather than completed results. The study will compare students using the full interactive ePro-Schools platform against students receiving only basic health information.
- What it means for you: If this research succeeds, schools may soon offer free, easy-to-use apps that help teens build better eating and exercise habits without requiring expensive programs or special resources.
The Research Details
The ePro-Schools project uses a randomized controlled trial design, which is considered the gold standard for testing whether something actually works. Researchers will divide six schools into two groups: three schools get the full interactive ePro-Schools platform with games, tracking tools, and personalized challenges, while three control schools receive only basic educational information about health. This setup lets researchers see if the interactive features actually make a difference compared to just reading about healthy habits.
Before the main study begins, the research team worked with students, teachers, and parents to design the platform together—a process called co-design. This ensures the app actually addresses what teens need and want, not just what adults think they should have. Students and staff are currently testing the platform to make sure it works smoothly, is easy to use, and looks appealing.
The actual trial will measure students at three time points: at the start, right after the intervention ends, and six months later. This allows researchers to see both immediate effects and whether changes stick around long-term.
This research approach matters because it tests a solution to a real problem: teenagers in poorer communities often don’t have access to programs that help them develop healthy habits. By delivering the intervention through schools using free online technology, the researchers are testing whether health support can reach students who need it most. The co-design process ensures the platform will actually be useful and engaging rather than something teens ignore.
This is a well-designed study with several strengths: it uses a randomized controlled trial design (the most reliable type), involves a large sample size (1,000 students), includes multiple schools to test real-world effectiveness, measures outcomes at multiple time points, and will analyze both whether the program works and whether it’s cost-effective. The study is registered in a public database (ClinicalTrials.gov) before results are known, which prevents researchers from cherry-picking favorable findings. However, this is a protocol paper describing the planned study, not the actual results, so we don’t yet know if the intervention will be effective.
What the Results Show
This paper describes the study plan rather than actual results, as the research is still underway. The primary outcomes the researchers will measure include changes in physical activity levels, eating habits (particularly fruit, vegetable, and sugary drink consumption), depressive symptoms, quality of life, and social isolation. Students will complete validated questionnaires—standardized surveys that have been proven to accurately measure these outcomes—at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at six months.
The study will also collect information about students’ age, gender, family income, and other background factors to understand whether the program works equally well for all students or whether some groups benefit more than others. This is important for understanding health equity—whether the program actually reduces health gaps between wealthy and disadvantaged communities.
Beyond physical activity and eating habits, the researchers will examine mental health outcomes including depression, anxiety, and overall quality of life. They’ll also look at social isolation, which is increasingly recognized as important for teen health. The study will measure implementation success—whether schools can actually use the platform as intended—and conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis to determine whether the benefits justify the expense. These secondary measures help answer the practical question: Is this something schools can realistically adopt and afford?
Previous research shows that school-based programs can improve teen health habits, but many programs are expensive and difficult to scale to all schools. eHealth (online health) solutions have shown promise in other settings because they’re cheaper and can reach more people. This study builds on that evidence by testing whether an interactive online platform specifically designed with teens’ input can work better than traditional approaches. The co-design process is particularly innovative—most programs are created by adults without asking teens what they actually want.
Since this is a protocol paper, the main limitation is that results aren’t yet available. Once results are published, potential limitations may include: the study is conducted in Spain and may not apply to other countries with different school systems or cultures; students who volunteer for health studies may be more motivated than average students; and the study can’t control for all factors that influence teen health (like family support or neighborhood safety). The researchers acknowledge these limitations and are designing the study to minimize them where possible.
The Bottom Line
This is a study protocol, so formal recommendations await the results. However, schools in disadvantaged areas should watch for results from this research, as it may provide evidence for adopting low-cost digital tools to support student health. Confidence level: Moderate—the study design is strong, but results must be published first.
School administrators and health officials in under-resourced communities should care most about this research, as it directly addresses their challenge of promoting teen health without expensive programs. Teens themselves, parents, and public health policymakers should also follow this research. This research is less relevant to wealthy schools that already have extensive health and fitness resources.
The study is currently in the testing phase. Full results will likely be available within 2-3 years. Even if the ePro-Schools platform proves effective, it would take additional time for schools to adopt and implement it, so real-world changes might not appear for 3-5 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an app really help teenagers eat healthier and exercise more?
The ePro-Schools study is testing exactly this question with 1,000 students in Spain. Interactive platforms designed with teens’ input show promise because they’re engaging and accessible, but results won’t be available until the study completes in 2-3 years.
How does this app help students in poor communities?
ePro-Schools delivers health support through schools using free online technology, eliminating cost barriers. By co-designing the platform with students, researchers ensure it addresses what teens actually need rather than what adults assume they want.
What makes this study better than other health programs for teens?
This randomized controlled trial compares interactive features against basic information, uses validated measurement tools, tracks students over six months, and analyzes cost-effectiveness. The co-design process with students is particularly innovative and increases the likelihood teens will actually use it.
When will schools be able to use this app?
The ePro-Schools study is currently in testing phases. Results should be available within 2-3 years, and schools would need additional time to adopt the platform, so real-world implementation likely won’t occur for 3-5 years.
Will this app work for all teenagers or just some groups?
The study will examine whether ePro-Schools works equally well across different student groups by analyzing age, gender, family income, and other factors. This helps determine if the program reduces health inequalities or only helps certain students.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Users could track daily steps (using phone sensors), meals logged with photos, and weekly exercise sessions. The app could show progress toward personalized goals like ’eat 5 servings of fruits/vegetables daily’ or ‘get 60 minutes of activity daily.’
- Students could set one specific, achievable goal each week (like ‘drink water instead of soda 5 times’ or ‘walk to school twice this week’), log their progress daily, and earn badges or points for consistency. The app could send friendly reminders and celebrate wins.
- The app could generate weekly summaries showing progress on physical activity and eating habits, with comparisons to previous weeks. Monthly check-ins could assess mood and energy levels. Students could share achievements with friends or family for accountability and motivation.
This article describes a research study protocol, not completed results. The ePro-Schools platform has not yet been proven effective, as the study is still underway. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from healthcare providers, school counselors, or nutrition professionals. Parents and teens should consult qualified health professionals before making significant changes to diet or exercise routines. Results from this study may not apply to all communities, schools, or age groups. Always speak with a doctor before starting new health programs, especially if you have existing health conditions.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.