Effects of Early-Program Physical Activity Lessons on Daily Active Minutes in a Digital Diabetes Prevention Program

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity have important benefits for type 2 diabetes prevention and risk reduction. Purpose To evaluate the immediate impact of completing educational lessons about physical activity within a fully digital diabetes prevention program (DPP) on the daily activity levels of participants with overweight or obesity and at risk for type 2 diabetes. Methods This study compared the pre-post change in daily active minutes of participants between two groups, 1. Completers, or participants who completed physical activity lessons 2 and 3 of the DPP and 2. Starters, or a propensity-matched control group who initiated the program but did not complete lessons 2 and 3 within the first month. Results We observed a significant difference in the change in daily active minutes between groups (U = 636742.5, p ≤ .0001). Completers increased their daily active minutes between baseline and the end of the first month (Mean = 7.1 minutes, SE = 0.7) while Starters decreased (Mean = –25.4 minutes; SE = 1.0). Discussion Targeted educational lessons about physical activity coupled with self-monitoring and automated coaching promoted daily physical activity among participants in a digital DPP. Translation to Health Education Practice Health educators may use digitally delivered educational lessons about physical activity to facilitate immediate changes in daily active behaviors.