Bridging Nutrition Gaps in Urban Workforces: Evaluation of an AI-Enhanced Meal Subscription System for Corporate Employees in Colombo

Abstract

The rapid urbanization of developing economies has fundamentally altered dietary patterns among corporate workforces, with non-communicable diseases accounting for 83% of premature deaths in Sri Lanka. This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of user acceptance and prototype validation for an AI-enhanced meal subscription system targeting corporate professionals in Colombo. Through a mixed-methods approach combining user surveys (n=100) and prototype testing using Figma-based mockups, we investigated the effectiveness and acceptance of technology-enhanced nutritional interventions. Our findings reveal that 86.7% of corporate employees struggle with maintaining healthy diets, while 90% express interest in personalized meal delivery services. The prototype validation demonstrates high acceptance rates for key features including AI driven personalization (88%), subscription management (85%), and nutrition tracking (74%). Pricing analysis reveals optimal acceptance for three-tier subscription models: Week Saver Plan (1 week, LKR 2,900, 78% acceptance), Fortnight Feast (2 weeks, LKR 5,500, 64% acceptance), and Monthly Munch (1 month, LKR 10,500, 54% acceptance). The study contributes practical insights for developing culturally appropriate, technology-enabled nutrition solutions in developing economies, with AI recommendations identified as a critical enhancement for optimizing user experience and health outcomes.