Physical Activity
Conditions
Keywords
Children, physical activity
Brief summary
This study is designed to determine if parents can deliver an intervention that will help increase physical activity in their children. The parents will be given the intervention through their mobile phones.
Detailed description
Most children engage in insufficient amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. These low levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity are associated with adverse health consequences including increased risk for obesity, and cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors. Therefore, there is a need for studies that can increase physical activity levels in children. Mobile phones are a way to deliver behavioral interventions. Mobile phones are portable, allow for real-time data collection, and can potentially reach large numbers of people. Text messages can also be utilized to promote behavior change. Few mobile phone based interventions have specifically targeted child physical activity. The aims of this pilot study were to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a physical activity promotion program targeting 6-10 year old children that is delivered to parents through mobile phones.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALIntervention: limited behavioral strategies
Parents are given access to a website, formatted for a mobile phone. The website provides parents with a target steps/day goal for their child and parents are instructed to use their mobile phone to access the study website to record their child's step count each night. Parents are also sent monthly healthy nutrition tips via text message targeting the child in order to provide these families with potentially health promoting information.
BEHAVIORALIntervention: advanced behavioral strategies
Parents are given access to a website, formatted for a mobile phone. The website provides parents with a target steps/day goal for their child and parents are instructed to use their mobile phone to access the study website to record their child's step count each night. Parents also receive additional behavioral strategies based on the Social Cognitive Theory. The strategies are delivered through weekly articles posted on the website. Text messages are designed to prompt parents to encourage their child's physical activity, remind parents of behavioral concepts presented in the articles (article tip), and motivate parents to foster behavioral change in their child.
Sponsors
The Coca-Cola Company
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 10 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Parent must own a mobile phone. * Parent must use the text (SMS)messaging service on their mobile phone. * Parent can access the internet on their mobile phone.
Exclusion criteria
* Child is 6 through 10 years old. * Child does not engage in regular physical activity. * Chile is physically capable of exercising.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Step counts | 3 Months | Physical activity will be measured by utilizing pedometers. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure | 3 Months | Physical measurements will be assessed by waist circumference, body mass index, height, weight, percent body fat, and blood pressure. Questionnaires will assess mood and physical activity enjoyment. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed