Dietary Protein Intake
Conditions
Keywords
dietary protein, ehealth, app, nutrition, older adults, elderly, strength exercise, whole foods
Brief summary
Rationale: Sufficient dietary protein intake helps to preserve muscle mass and strength and is a key factor in healthy ageing. Achieving an increased protein intake with regular food products has shown to be a challenge for many older adults. Applying behavioural change techniques may facilitate a more sustained improvement in protein consumption over time. Objective: To investigate whether a nutritional app intervention can increase the protein intake (with the goal of 1.2 g/kg body weight/day) of older adults, using readily available food products. Secondary and tertiary objective include the effects of the intervention on body composition and muscle strength and long-term effects on protein intake.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALNutritional coaching via an app
Coaching involves e-coaching via an app, supported by one telephone consultation. Within the SO-NUTS (preventing obesity, sarcopenia, and Sarcopenic Obesity in retirement through digital, personalised interventions for healthy NUTrition and physical activity for Seniors) project, BCTs are investigated that fit the older adult population. Insights gained from systematic review and focus group interviews are applied to the Eifit application.
BEHAVIORALExercise recommendations
The objective is to adhere to the 2017 physical activity guidelines as set by the Health Council of the Netherlands i.e. "Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, perform muscle- and bone-strengthening activities at least twice a week in combination with balance exercises, and avoid prolonged periods of sitting." Participants in both groups have access to the application that contains a wide range of muscle and bone-strengthening activities, as well as balance exercises that can be performed independently at home. Activities such as walking, cycling, tennis, or swimming can also be added. Participants can monitor their progress themselves, and if desired, push notifications, tips, and reminders can be sent.
Sponsors
Radboud University Medical Center
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
FrieslandCampina
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Masking description
Participants in the exercise (active comparator) group are blinded to the real purpose of the study being 'to improve protein intake' to limit subjects bias. Meaning that the participants in the exercise group will also change their diet including their protein intake.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Able to use a smartphone; * Open to make use of an application; * Open to alter their diet; * Able to understand and perform the study procedures; * Sufficient command of the Dutch language.
Exclusion criteria
* Comorbidities where physical activity and/or a certain intake may be dangerous (e.g., diagnosed kidney failure); * Pre-scribed diet (e.g. low sodium or low potassium diet) or plant-based diet; * Use of nutritional shakes (such as meal replacements or protein shakes) during the study period. The use of nutritional supplements (such as iron or vitamin D tablets) is permitted and will be requested.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| protein intake | baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months) | Δprotein intake relative to bodyweight (g/kg/d) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| muscle mass | baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months) | muscle mass (kg) (Body Impedance Analysis BIA) |
| Leg muscle strength | [Time Frame: baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months)] | 1RM leg press (kg). A submaximal protocol will be used of around 8-10 repetitions. The Bryzcki formula (Jacobsen F, Holten O, Faugli H, Leirvik R. Medical exercise therapy. Manual therapy in Norway. 1992;7:19-22.): 1RM = weight (kg) / (1,0278 - (0,0278 x number of repetitions)) will be used to determine the 1RM. |
| Attitude towards physical activity | [Time Frame: baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months)] | Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ). 12 items with a 5-point Likert scale: totally disagree; disagree; neutral; agree; totally agree. The items relate to 6 types of motivation: from amotivation to different types of external motivation to intrinsic motivation. It concerns a continuum from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation, where higher scores indicate more autonomous motivation, such as doing something because you find it important for yourself (integrated regulation). |
| Attitude towards a healthy diet | [Time Frame: baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months)] | Regulation of Eating Behavior Scale (REBS). 12 items with a 5-point Likert scale: totally disagree (1); disagree; neutral; agree; totally agree (5). The items relate to 6 types of motivation: from amotivation to different types of external motivation to intrinsic motivation. It concerns a continuum from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation, where higher scores indicate more autonomous motivation, such as doing something because you find it important for yourself (integrated regulation). |
| Functional leg muscle strength | [Time Frame: baseline (0 months), post-intervention (3 months) and follow-up (6 months)] | timed Chair-Stand (s) |
| user-friendliness of the eHealth application | post-intervention (3 months after the start) | SUS questionnaire (SUS is a 10-item questionnaire with 5 response options (based on the Likert scale)). A higher score means a higher usability. |
| usability of the eHealth application | post-intervention (3 months after the start) | Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of use Questionnaire (USE). A 30-item questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale ranging from: strongly disagree to strongly agree. |
Countries
Netherlands
Outcome results
None listed