mDiet - Ecological Momentary Intervention of Diet Via Mobile Technology

This research will develop a technologically advanced system for monitoring and intervening
on diet behaviors (e.g., food intake, weight). Interventions aimed at dietary change are
missing a comparable, portable tool. Mobile technologies can help fill this gap by providing
portable connectivity to expert systems that create specific tailored diet goals based on
participant profiles. The expert system can 'push' intervention messages throughout the day
during critical point-of-decision moments to aid in decision making among users. The portable
device can 'pull' information through prompts and easy-to-use recording. This ecological
momentary assessment + ecological momentary intervention format may further encourage healthy
behaviors by prompting at critical decision points to improve dietary behaviors.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Participants will be included if they:

- Are age 25-55

- Are overweight or moderately obese

- Are with a BMI between 25.0-34.9 (as defined by the NIH report on Obesity (NIH
1998)

- Are able to read (completion of at least the 6th grade) and speak English

- Provide consent

- Do not intend to become pregnant or move out of the county for the duration of
the intervention (16 weeks).

- Participants will also be required to have a cell phone that is capable of supporting
the mDIET application.

- Participants may be otherwise healthy or have one or more risk factors for CVD,
including uncomplicated Type 2 diabetes but will not be enrolled if they have
diagnosed CVD.

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants will be excluded from the study if they have any of the following conditions:

- An eating disorder

- Are currently pregnant

- Have a strict dietary regimen prescribed by their doctor that will not allow them to
comply with intervention guidelines related to dietary changes.