The PROTEIN Project

New advances in information computer technology and artificial intelligence (AI) offer the possibility to create a personalized tool and support system for healthy living and eating, and this is the principal objective of the PROTEIN Project (an EU-funded consortium; Horizon 2020). In order to obtain information on the acceptability, usability and its effectiveness at facilitating behaviour change of the application within the home and store. A pilot trial will be conducted in participants who are overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2) and a separate group of participants who consume a low quality diet (low in fruit and vegetable intake) and/or have a nutrition deficiency (specifically iron-deficiency anaemia). During this study the subjects will be asked to attend the lab (or remotely due to covid restrictions) at the beginning of the study for baseline measurements and instructions on how to use / download the mobile application. Participants will have their anthropometrics measured (including height/ weight/ waist: hip circumference). The PROTEIN application will collect self-reported data from the user, which includes: user profile input, dietary and fluid intake, daily physical activity (such as step count), biochemistry, sleep and chewing (in- meal behaviour). Information on how users will interact with the app, which screens they use, how many log ons and how often data is inputted will also be collected. Throughout the trial, the participants will be contacted via the application or by the researchers to request feedback on their progress and to encourage reporting of any issues. Health care professionals will also be recruited to test the expert dashboard of the PROTEIN app. Through this system they will be able to provide nutrition/ physical activity advice directly to their patients and input their relevant biochemical results (such as haemoglobin for anaemic patients).