Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Obesity
Conditions
Brief summary
This study was designed to determine whether participation in an online social network intervention increases perceived social support for physical activity versus a minimal education control group by conducting a randomized controlled trial with 140 female undergraduate students. The investigators hypothesize that participants in the physical activity centered online social network intervention group will have greater increases in perceived social support for physical activity compared to minimal web based physical activity education controls.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALonline social network enrollment plus education and self monitoring
Participants are enrolled in an online social network designed to increase social support for physical activity and will self monitor physical activity and receive educational materials at a dedicated study website.
BEHAVIORALWeb education control
Participants will receive access to a dedicated study website where they can view educational materials related to physical activity
Sponsors
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
17 Years to 24 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* female * under the age of 25 * currently enrolled full time or part time student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill * classified as an undergraduate * answers no to all questions on an exercise risk factor questionnaire (PAR-Q) or is cleared in writing by a physician to participate in an independent exercise program * a score of less than 3 on the SCOFF eating disorders questionnaire * less than 30 minutes per day of self reported moderate or vigorous physical activity * regular Facebook use as defined by self reported owning of an account and use of at least 30 minutes per day * willing to provide informed consent * willing to participate in the intervention * literate in the English language.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mean perceived social support for physical activity scores on the Peer/Friend Support for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Scale. | 10 weeks | The primary outcome measure is the mean score of a 19 item, 7 point scale that measures the frequency of social support interactions over the previous 6 weeks. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Physical activity in kilocalories on the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire/College Alumnus Questionnaire | 12 weeks |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed