Abstract
College students demonstrate poor physical activity (PA) and dietary behaviors. We evaluated the feasibility of a combined smartwatch and theoretically based, social media-delivered health education intervention versus a comparison on improving college students’ health behaviors/outcomes. Thirty-eight students (28 female; Xage = 21.5 ± 3.4 years) participated in this two-arm, randomized 12-week pilot trial (2017–2018). Participants were randomized into: (a) experimental: Polar M400 use and twice-weekly social cognitive theory- and self-determination theory-based Facebook-delivered health education intervention; or (b) comparison: enrollment only in separate, but content-identical, Facebook intervention. Primary outcomes pertained to intervention feasibility. Secondary outcomes included accelerometer-estimated PA, physiological/psychosocial outcomes, and dietary behaviors. Intervention adherence was high (~86%), with a retention of 92.1%. Participants implemented health education tips 1–3 times per week. We observed experimental and comparison groups to have 4.2- and 1.6-min/day increases in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), respectively, at six weeks—partially maintained at 12 weeks. In both groups, similarly decreased body weight (experimental = −0.6 kg; comparison = −0.5 kg) and increased self-efficacy, social support, and intrinsic motivation were observed pre- and post-intervention. Finally, we observed small decreases in daily caloric consumption over time (experimental = −41.0 calories; comparison = −143.3). Both interventions were feasible/of interest to college students and demonstrated initial effectiveness at improving health behaviors/outcomes. However, smartwatch provision may not result in an additional benefit.
Highlights
College students demonstrate increased overweight/obesity risk given this population’s newfound autonomy and the responsibility of balancing school, work, social, and health demands after beginning college [1,2]
Our observations build upon the limitations of past trials and add to the literature given: (a) the concurrent concentration on physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and dietary behaviors; (b) the use of the social cognitive theory (SCT) and self-determination theory (SDT) as theoretical frameworks in the intervention design; (c) the use and implementation of SCT- and SDT-based health education delivered via social media; (d) the inclusion of physiological and psychosocial outcomes in addition to behavioral outcomes related to PA, SB, and diet; and (e) the inclusion of routine intervention fidelity procedures employed to promote intervention adherence
Physical Activity was assessed using ActiGraph Link accelerometers worn on the wrist given a Polar M400 validation sub-study completed during this trial
Summary
College students demonstrate increased overweight/obesity risk given this population’s newfound autonomy and the responsibility of balancing school, work, social, and health demands after beginning college [1,2]. Increased intrinsic motivation has been observed predictive of college student PA and dietary behaviors [34,35] The objective of this 12-week pilot randomized trial was to investigate the feasibility and initial effectiveness of an intervention combining Polar M400 smartwatch use and a twice-weekly SCT- and SDT-based Facebook-delivered health education intervention on improving college students’ PA and dietary behaviors. Our observations build upon the limitations of past trials and add to the literature given: (a) the concurrent concentration on PA, SB, and dietary behaviors; (b) the use of the SCT and SDT as theoretical frameworks in the intervention design; (c) the use and implementation of SCT- and SDT-based health education delivered via social media; (d) the inclusion of physiological and psychosocial outcomes in addition to behavioral outcomes related to PA, SB, and diet; and (e) the inclusion of routine intervention fidelity procedures employed to promote intervention adherence. Researchers and health professionals on college campuses may modify the methods employed in the current trial to increase intervention effectiveness based upon our observations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
