Abstract
BackgroundInternet access has grown markedly in Latinos during the past decade. However, there have been no Internet-based physical activity interventions designed for Latinos, despite large disparities in lifestyle-related conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, particularly in Latina women. The current study tested the efficacy of a 6-month culturally adapted, individually tailored, Spanish-language Internet-based physical activity intervention.MethodsInactive Latinas (N = 205) were randomly assigned to the Tailored Physical Activity Internet Intervention or the Wellness Contact Control Internet Group. Participants in both groups received emails on a tapered schedule over 6 months to alert them to new content on the website. The primary outcome was minutes/week of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at 6 months as measured by the 7-Day Physical Activity Recall; activity was also measured by accelerometers. Data were collected between 2011 and 2014 and analyzed in 2015 at the University of California, San Diego.ResultsIncreases in minutes/week of MVPA were significantly greater in the Intervention Group compared to the Control Group (mean difference = 50.00, SE = 9.5, p < 0.01). Increases in objectively measured MVPA were also significantly larger in the Intervention Group (mean differences = 31.0, SE = 10.7, p < .01). The Intervention Group was also significantly more likely to meet national physical activity guidelines at 6 months (OR = 3.12, 95 % CI 1.46–6.66, p < .05).ConclusionFindings from the current study suggest that this Internet-delivered individually tailored intervention successfully increased MVPA in Latinas compared to a Wellness Contact Control Internet Group.Trial registrationNCT01834287.
Highlights
Internet access has grown markedly in Latinos during the past decade
A recent study showed that a physical activity (PA) intervention using printed, mail-delivered materials that were individually tailored based on theoretical constructs (Social Cognitive Theory and the Transtheoretical Model [14, 15]) was successful at increasing PA in inactive Latinas [16, 17]
While the wellness materials focused on diet and other health behaviors aside from physical activity, it may have inspired Control participants to engage in similar lifestyle changes
Summary
There have been no Internet-based physical activity interventions designed for Latinos, despite large disparities in lifestyle-related conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, in Latina women. Despite the great need to promote PA among Latinas, few interventions have targeted this specific population; a 2014 systematic review found 16 such interventions in a period of 30 years [11] The majority of these utilized face-to-face delivery channels, such as site visits, church/ community settings, or promotora-led walking groups. Marcus et al International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2016) 13:62 cite limited transportation and childcare duties as key barriers to physical activity [11,12,13] Such approaches may be limited in their potential for widespread dissemination. A recent study showed that a PA intervention using printed, mail-delivered materials that were individually tailored based on theoretical constructs (Social Cognitive Theory and the Transtheoretical Model [14, 15]) was successful at increasing PA in inactive Latinas [16, 17]
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