Using Novel Technology within a School-Based Setting to Increase Physical Activity: A Pilot Study in School-Age Children from a Low-Income, Urban Community.

E Whitney Evans,Eva Chen,Elissa Jelalian,Ana M Abrantes

doi:10.1155/2017/4271483

Abstract

Background Less than half of American children meet national physical activity (PA) recommendations. This study tested the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of using wearable PA monitors to increase PA in school-age children. Methods In Phase 1 of this study, conducted in 2014, 32 fifth-grade students enrolled in a low-resource middle school were given a waist-worn Fitbit Zip monitor for 4 weeks to test its feasibility (adherence) and acceptability. Adherence, wear time of ≥8 hours per day, was examined. Feedback was solicited from parents through structured interviews. In Phase 2, conducted in 2015, 42 sixth-grade students were assigned, by classroom, to one of three conditions (Fitbit + goal and incentive-based intervention, Fitbit only, or control) to test the feasibility of the wrist-worn Fitbit Charge and its preliminary effectiveness in increasing PA over 6 weeks. Results In Phase 1, average adherence was 64.1%. In Phase 2, it was 73.4% and 80.2% for participants in the Fitbit + intervention and Fitbit only groups, respectively (p = .07). After controlling for baseline values, weight status, and sex, there were no significant group differences in changes in MVPA or steps from baseline to follow-up. Conclusions While moderately acceptable, wearable PA monitors did not increase PA levels in this sample. They may be more effective within a coordinated school-based physical activity program.

Highlights

National recommendations suggest that school-aged children should get at least 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) [1]
Parents reported that the novelty of the monitor wore off, as their children stopped talking about the Fitbit Zip monitor and forgot them at home more often over the course of the intervention
Feedback from the teachers was similar in that they reported that the participants complained that the waist-worn Fitbit Zip fell off a lot and that they often took it off for sports out of fear of losing the monitor and because it was not allowed on their competitive sports’ uniform

Summary

Introduction

National recommendations suggest that school-aged children should get at least 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) [1]. Given that health behaviors established during childhood track into adolescence and adulthood [5] and that nearly 95% of youth are enrolled in schools, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends making school-time physical activity a public health priority [6] They suggest that at least 30 minutes of MVPA per day should be achieved within the school day [7]. The CDC provided more specific recommendations suggesting that, to maximize effectiveness, school-based physical activity programs should include coordination across physical education, physical activity during the school day, and physical activity before and after school and involve staff, families, and the community [8]. Wearable PA monitors did not increase PA levels in this sample They may be more effective within a coordinated school-based physical activity program

Methods

Results

Conclusion