Trial results for a study investigating a mobile application to improve healthy food access in Baltimore City, relevant to Obesity, were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-01-14. The intervention group saw healthy food sales increase by 0.50 units.
Background
Obesity remains a significant public health challenge, often exacerbated by environmental factors such as limited access to nutritious foods. Low-income urban communities frequently face disparities in food access, with many small food stores offering a limited selection of healthy and affordable options. Interventions that can enhance the procurement and distribution of healthier foods and beverages in these local retail environments, like corner stores, are crucial for improving community health and potentially impacting obesity rates by fostering healthier dietary choices.
Trial design
This completed study, designated as Phase NA, enrolled 310 participants to investigate Obesity. The trial evaluated the feasibility of a Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) web-based application (app) to improve access to affordable, healthier products from local producers/wholesalers in 38 urban corner stores in low-income Baltimore neighborhoods. The study used a randomized controlled trial design, comparing outcomes between intervention and control corner stores.
Key results
The trial reported several key measurements across intervention and control groups:
- Change in Stocking of Healthy Foods as Assessed by a Store Impact Questionnaire (score on a scale):
- Control Cornerstore: Mean -9.5 (Standard Deviation 3.5)
- Intervention Cornerstore: Mean -2.2 (Standard Deviation 2.7)
- Change in Sale of Healthy Foods (healthy foods):
- Control Cornerstore: Mean -0.03 (Standard Deviation 0.58)
- Intervention Cornerstore: Mean 0.50
- Estimated Changes (Reduction) in Operating Costs (US dollars):
- Control Cornerstore: Mean 4.00 (Standard Deviation 0.71)
- Intervention Cornerstore: Mean 3.00
- Estimated Changes (Savings) in Acquisition Prices (US dollars):
- Control Cornerstore: Mean 3.8 (Standard Deviation 0.84)
- Intervention Cornerstore: Mean 5.0
- Estimated Total Financial Expenses (US dollars):
- Control Cornerstore: Mean 3.6 (Standard Deviation 0.55)
- Intervention Cornerstore: Mean 5.0
- Changes in Prices of Healthy Foods (US dollars):
- Control Cornerstore: Mean 3.6 (Standard Deviation 0.89)
- Intervention Cornerstore: Mean 2.0
A Welch's t-test was performed as part of the analysis, yielding a p-value of 0.22.
What this means
The results suggest that the Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) app had varied impacts on corner stores in low-income Baltimore neighborhoods. While both intervention and control groups saw a decrease in the stocking of healthy foods, the decrease was less pronounced in the intervention group (mean -2.2 vs. -9.5). Notably, the intervention group experienced an increase in healthy food sales (mean 0.50 units) compared to a slight decrease in the control group (mean -0.03 units). Additionally, intervention stores reported greater savings in acquisition prices (mean 5.0 US dollars) compared to control stores (mean 3.8 US dollars). However, the overall Welch's t-test p-value of 0.22 suggests that the observed differences across outcomes may not be statistically significant. These findings indicate potential for technology-based interventions to influence food environments, though further research with larger cohorts and specific outcome-linked statistical analyses would be beneficial to confirm efficacy and broader public health impact.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT05010018, titled "A Mobile Application to Improve Procurement and Distribution of Healthful Foods & Beverages in Baltimore City", were posted on 2026-01-14 on clinicaltrials.gov.