Objective:
Between 31 and 35% of the college‐aged population is overweight or obese, yet few weight loss trials for this population have been conducted. This study examined the feasibility, ...acceptability, and initial efficacy of a technology‐based 8‐week weight loss intervention among college students.
Design and Methods:
Students (N = 52) were randomly assigned to one of the three arms: Facebook (n = 17); Facebook Plus text messaging and personalized feedback (n = 18); Waiting List control (n = 17), with assessments at 4 weeks and 8 weeks (post‐treatment). Participants were 20.47 ± 2.19 years old, 86.45 ± 17.11 kg, with a body mass index of 31.36 ± 5.3 kg/m2. Participants were primarily female (86.5%), and the sample was racially diverse (57.7% Caucasian, 30.8% African American, 5.8% Hispanic, and 5.7% other races).
Results:
The primary outcome was weight loss after 8 weeks (post‐treatment); 96.0% of the participants completed this assessment. At 8 weeks, the Facebook Plus group had significantly greater weight loss (−2.4 ± 2.5 kg) than the Facebook (−0.63 ± 2.4 kg) and Waiting List (−0.24 ± 2.6 kg) (both Ps < 0.05). Weight change at 8 weeks was not significantly different between the Facebook and Waiting List groups.
Conclusions:
Results show preliminary efficacy and acceptability of the two active intervention arms (97.0% found the program helpful, 81.3% found the videos/handouts helpful, and 100% would recommend the program to others). Results indicate the potential for an innovative weight loss intervention that uses technology platforms (Facebook and text messaging) that are frequently used and already integrated into the cultural life of college students.
Despite the increased health risks of a sedentary lifestyle, only 49 % of American adults participate in physical activity (PA) at the recommended levels. In an effort to move the PA field forward, ...we briefly review three emerging areas of PA intervention research. First, new intervention research has focused on not only increasing PA but also on decreasing sedentary behavior. Researchers should utilize randomized controlled trials, common terminology, investigate which behaviors should replace sedentary behaviors, evaluate long-term outcomes, and focus across the lifespan. Second, technology has contributed to an increase in sedentary behavior but has also led to innovative PA interventions. PA technology research should focus on large randomized trials with evidence-based components, explore social networking and innovative apps, improve PA monitoring, consider the lifespan, and be grounded in theory. Finally, in an effort to maximize public health impact, dissemination efforts should address the RE-AIM model, health disparities, and intervention costs.
Abstract
Background
This study examines the relationship between various domains of sedentary behavior and subsequent cognitive function to evaluate whether different sedentary activities have ...specific associations with future cognitive performance.
Methods
Data were from 1 261 older adults participating in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study between 1999/2000 and 2006/2007. Total sitting time (hours/day), reading time (hours/week), and TV time (≤27/≥28 h/wk) were self-reported at baseline and 3 years later. At follow-up, cognitive function was evaluated using the Teng Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Multivariable linear regression modeling examined the independent associations of baseline sedentary behaviors and 3-year change in those behaviors with cognitive function scores at follow-up, adjusting for important covariables.
Results
Baseline total sitting time was positively associated with 3MS (β = 0.14 ± 0.07; p < .05) and DSST (β = 0.20 ± 0.10; p < .05) scores at follow-up, as was reading time (β = 0.09 ± 0.03; p < .05 for 3MS score and β = 0.14 ± 0.04; p < 0.01 for DSST score). Participants who increased their TV watching time over 3 years had a significantly lower 3MS score (β = −1.45 ± 0.71; p < .05) at follow-up, compared with those who maintained a low level of TV time (referent). These findings were independent of age, sex, race, education level, health status, depressive symptoms, and physical activity.
Conclusion
Some types of sedentary behavior may have benefits for cognitive function in older age, thus highlighting the importance of measuring different domains of sitting time.
Between 31 and 35% of the college-aged population is overweight or obese, yet few weight loss trials for this population have been conducted. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and ...initial efficacy of a technology-based 8-week weight loss intervention among college students. Students (N = 52) were randomly assigned to one of the three arms: Facebook (n = 17); Facebook Plus text messaging and personalized feedback (n = 18); Waiting List control (n = 17), with assessments at 4 weeks and 8 weeks (post-treatment). Participants were 20.47 ± 2.19 years old, 86.45 ± 17.11 kg, with a body mass index of 31.36 ± 5.3 kg/m2. Participants were primarily female (86.5%), and the sample was racially diverse (57.7% Caucasian, 30.8% African American, 5.8% Hispanic, and 5.7% other races). The primary outcome was weight loss after 8 weeks (post-treatment); 96.0% of the participants completed this assessment. At 8 weeks, the Facebook Plus group had significantly greater weight loss (-2.4 ± 2.5 kg) than the Facebook (-0.63 ± 2.4 kg) and Waiting List (-0.24 ± 2.6 kg) (both Ps < 0.05). Weight change at 8 weeks was not significantly different between the Facebook and Waiting List groups. Results show preliminary efficacy and acceptability of the two active intervention arms (97.0% found the program helpful, 81.3% found the videos/handouts helpful, and 100% would recommend the program to others). Results indicate the potential for an innovative weight loss intervention that uses technology platforms (Facebook and text messaging) that are frequently used and already integrated into the cultural life of college students.
Digital media are omnipresent in modern life, but the science on the impact of digital media on behavior is still in its infancy. There is an emerging evidence base of how to use digital media for ...behavior change. Strategies to change behavior implemented using digital technology have included a variety of platforms and program strategies, all of which are potentially more effective with increased frequency, intensity, interactivity, and feedback. It is critical to accelerate the pace of research on digital platforms, including social media, to understand and address its effects on human behavior. The purpose of the current paper is to provide an overview and describe methods in this emerging field, present use cases, describe a future agenda, and raise central questions to be addressed in future digital health research for behavior change. Digital media for behavior change employs three main methods: (1) digital media interventions, (2) formative research using digital media, and (3) digital media used to conduct evaluations. We examine use cases across several content areas including healthy weight management, tobacco control, and vaccination uptake, to describe and illustrate the methods and potential impact of this emerging field of study. In the discussion, we note that digital media interventions need to explore the full range of functionality of digital devices and their near-constant role in personal self-management and day-to-day living to maximize opportunities for behavior change. Future experimental research should rigorously examine the effects of variable levels of engagement with, and frequency and intensity of exposure to, multiple forms of digital media for behavior change.
PURPOSEThis article describes effective interventions to promote regular physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior that were identified as part of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory ...Committee Scientific Report.
METHODSA comprehensive literature search was conducted of eligible systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and relevant governmental reports published between 2011 and 2016. For the physical activity promotion question, articles were first sorted by four social ecological levels of impact (i.e., individual, community, communication environment, and physical environment and policy levels) and then further sorted into more specific categories that emerged during the review process. For the sedentary behavior reduction question, the literature was sorted directly into emergent categories (i.e., youth, adult, and worksite interventions).
RESULTSEffective physical activity promotion strategies were identified at each level of impact, including those based on behavior change theories and those occurring at different settings throughout the community. Effective interventions also included those delivered in person by trained staff or peer volunteers and through different information and communication technologies, such as by phone, Web or Internet, and computer-tailored print. A range of built environment features were associated with more transit-based and recreational physical activity in children and adults. Effective sedentary reduction interventions were found for youth and in the workplace.
CONCLUSIONSA promising number of interventions with demonstrated effectiveness were identified. Future recommendations for research include investigating the most useful methods for disseminating them to real-world settings; incorporating more diverse population subgroups, including vulnerable and underrepresented subgroups; collecting cost data to inform cost-effectiveness comparisons; and testing strategies across different levels of impact to determine which combinations achieve the greatest effects on different modes of physical activity across the week.
Background: Most U.S. college students do not meet physical activity guidelines. Physical activity requirements (PAR) are a proposed solution for increasing undergraduate physical activity. Purpose: ...To determine whether college/university PAR are associated with undergraduates' self-reported physical activity. Methods: Undergraduate students (N = 383,632) attending colleges and universities taking part in the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment II survey (2015-2019) self-reported physical activity and demographics. Using websites and course catalogs, researchers coded schools to indicate binary PAR status. Bayesian Hierarchical Logistic Regression was used to determine the percentage of students meeting physical activity guidelines; interactions between PAR status and student characteristics (sex, BMI) were examined. Results: PAR status was positively associated with percent of students meeting physical activity guidelines (PAR: 43.3%, without: 40.5%; difference score 95% Highest Density Interval HDI; 1.0, 4.5). A greater percentage of students attending schools with PAR, versus without, met physical activity guidelines across all categories of sex and weight. However, the positive relationship between PAR status and physical activity was stronger among male students (PAR: 46.7%, without: 43.2%; 95% HDI 1.6, 5.4) compared to female students (PAR: 39.9%, without: 37.9%; 95% HCI 0.2, 3.8), and among students with underweight (PAR: 39.2%, without: 35.5%; 95% HDI 1.2, 6.3) or obesity (PAR: 37.1%, without: 33.7%; 95% HDI 1.4, 5.3) compared to normal weight (PAR: 49.3%, without: 47.4%; 95% HDI 0.1, 3.7) or overweight (PAR: 47.5%, without: 45.5%; 95% HDI 0.1, 4.0).
Conclusions: PAR are associated with meeting physical activity guidelines, particularly among college/university students with underweight or obesity.
Campus environments are associated with undergraduate weight. However, few studies have examined campus type and geographic location in relation to student weight. This article aimed to identify ...college/university students with elevated BMIs by campus type and region.
Linear mixed effects regression models were fit to data from the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment II. Analyses tested associations between campus type/region and student self-reported BMI.
The sample included 404,987 students from 445 schools with mean BMI 24.9 ± 5.8. Across all school types/regions, BMI confidence intervals included overweight values. Two-year and public school students had higher BMIs compared to four-year and private school students, respectively. Students in the Midwest had higher BMIs compared to students in the Northeast. In the South only, Minority Serving Institution (MSI) students had higher BMIs compared to non-MSI students.
Healthy weight maintenance programs should be made available to undergraduate students.
Objective
With the rise in electronic cigarette (ENDS) use among US young adults, more research is needed on expectations for use and perceptions related to body image, weight control, and stress ...relief.
Methods
College students (
N
= 230; modal age 21 years; 68% female) completed an online survey assessing cigarette smoking and ENDS, dieting and body image, perceptions about flavors, stress, weight gain prevention, and appetite regulation.
Sample characteristics
Dual use (cigarette and ENDS) was reported by
n
= 69 (30.0%). Exclusive cigarette smoking was endorsed by
n
= 53 (23%) with exclusive ENDS use reported by
n
= 15 (6.5%). Ninety-three participants (40.5%) reported not using either product.
Results
Among those using ENDS, < 33% reported using as a stress management tool, < 15% reported using ENDS to control appetite, and > 70% reported using cartridges that tasked like sweets. There was a positive correlation between dieting behaviors and body concern, suggesting those who reported higher use of ENDS for weight and appetite regulation also had higher pathological eating scores and concern over body shape and size.
Conclusion
Prevention and education related to weight, body image, and tobacco are needed to address misperceptions of tobacco products.
Level of evidence
Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.
Digital communication is a common intervention channel for weight loss, yet little is known about the types of messages that are most effective. Using McGuire's Model of Communication and Persuasion ...as a framework, this study investigates the persuasiveness of Facebook messages posted as part of the weight loss intervention in the Healthy Body Healthy U (HBHU) study to determine what message characteristics prompt higher engagement on Facebook, and whether certain messages are more appealing to certain demographics. The first four weeks of HBHU Facebook posts (n = 32) were coded according to McGuire's Input Communication Factors. Facebook engagement scores (Total Engaged Users/Total Reach) × 100 were calculated for each post to determine effectiveness. The most effective posts were diet-related discussions or interactive polls. Participants who engaged with the highest and lowest effect posts were in their mid-twenties and tended to be female. Those engaged with the highest effect posts had an average BMI of 32.34 kg/m
, while those engaged with the lowest effect posts had an average BMI of 31.31 kg/m
. The least effective posts were didactic lessons (i.e., diet- or reminder-based), or video-based informational posts (edutainment). Future interventions should balance didactic content and interactive engagement to achieve persuasive messaging.
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