CompletedInterventional

Piloting and testing the impact of a digital healthy eating intervention on young adults in Jamaica and the UK

This study is exploring how digital tools can help young adults in the UK and Jamaica make healthier food choices. If you're aged 18-25, live in the UK or Jamaica, and often engage with food content on social media, you might be able to take part. The research involves using WhatsApp groups to share healthy eating tips, along with the possibility of receiving weekly supermarket vouchers. We want to see if these methods can improve the quality of young people's diets and their eating habits. This is a chance to contribute to important research that could help shape future health programmes for young adults.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

University of Oxford

Enrolment target

150

Start

27 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

01 May 2026

Improvement of diet quality and dietary behaviours in young adults

What is this study about?

This research wants to understand how the digital world, like social media and messaging apps, influences what young people eat. Specifically, it's looking at whether using a WhatsApp group that shares healthy eating information, alongside weekly supermarket vouchers, can help young adults improve their diet. The study will happen in both Jamaica and the United Kingdom.

The main goal is to see if this kind of digital support can genuinely help young people aged 18 to 25 to choose healthier foods more often. We also want to find out how practical it is to run this type of programme in different countries. The information gathered will be really useful for health experts and policymakers in creating better programmes to help young adults eat well in the future.

By taking part, you’d be helping us learn more about effective ways to support healthy eating among young people. Your experiences and feedback are important to make sure that any future health initiatives are designed with young people in mind.

Key takeaways

This study explores digital ways to help young adults eat healthier.
It involves young adults aged 18-25 in the UK and Jamaica.
Participation includes using WhatsApp and completing online surveys.
Some participants might receive supermarket vouchers.
You could gain new healthy eating knowledge and strategies.
The study runs from February to August 2026.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for young adults aged between 18 and 25 years old. You need to have lived in either the UK or Jamaica for the past five years and plan to stay there for the study duration.

An important part of this study is how you use social media. We're looking for people who watch or interact with food-related posts on social media at least five times a week. You'll also need to own a smartphone, use WhatsApp regularly (or be happy to install it for the study), and be comfortable reading and responding in written English for online surveys.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you're currently dealing with an eating disorder, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are already in another healthy eating or weight management programme, this study might not be suitable for you. We also can't include you if you're on a special diet prescribed by a doctor that would conflict with general healthy eating advice.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 25 years old?
Have you lived in the UK or Jamaica for the last 5 years?
Do you watch or interact with food content on social media at least 5 times a week?
Do you own a smartphone and use WhatsApp (or are willing to)?
Are you comfortable reading and writing in English for online surveys?
Are you NOT currently pregnant or breastfeeding, or on a special doctor-prescribed diet?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be part of a research project looking at healthy eating. The study is fully digital, meaning you won't need to attend any in-person appointments. You'll mainly use WhatsApp and email, and fill out online questionnaires through a platform called Trial Deck. You'll complete questionnaires when you start the study, right after the main part of the study finishes, and then again four weeks later. The healthy eating information and resources will be shared with you through various ways, such as group chats on WhatsApp, emails, and potentially supermarket vouchers, depending on which group you are in. The study will run from February 2026 to August 2026.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study offers the chance to get practical resources on healthy eating, including recipes and advice tailored for your age. You might also benefit from social support through group interactions and, for some, supermarket vouchers that could help with food costs. While no specific health outcomes are guaranteed, you're likely to gain knowledge and strategies that can positively influence your food choices. On the risk side, if you're in a WhatsApp intervention group, complete privacy for your profile name, picture, or phone number can't be fully guaranteed, especially if others in the group already have your contact details. There's also a small chance of seeing inappropriate comments, but the research team will moderate the groups to minimise this. Remember, you can leave the study at any time if you feel it's not right for you.

Locations (2)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford
City only
Oxford, England
Caribbean Institute of Health Research, University of the West Indies
City only
Kingston, Jamaica

Common questions

What is this study trying to achieve?

This study aims to find out if using digital tools like WhatsApp and supermarket vouchers can help young adults aged 18-25 eat healthier and improve their diet quality in the UK and Jamaica.

Do I need to go anywhere in person for this study?

No, this study is completely digital. You will participate using your smartphone, WhatsApp, email, and online questionnaires.

Will I get free food or money for taking part?

Some participants in the study might receive weekly supermarket vouchers, which can help with food costs. This depends on which group you are assigned to.

Is my personal information safe?

While the study uses WhatsApp’s announcement function to limit interaction and hide contact details, full anonymity in the group cannot be 100% guaranteed, as other members might see your profile if they already have your contact. The research team will moderate groups to prevent inappropriate content.

Who is running this study?

The study is being run by the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford, with funding from Vital Strategies and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

How to find out more

Shaniek Parks

shaniek.parks@ndph.ox.ac.uk +44 (0)7926646814 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.