Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in a Randomized Trial of an Internet-Based Versus Workbook-Based Family Intervention Study

Abstract

Background The America on the Move (AOM) Family Intervention Program has been shown to prevent excess weight gain in overweight children. Providing intervention materials via the internet would have the potential to reach more families but may increase sedentary behavior. The purpose was to evaluate whether delivering the AOM Family Intervention via the internet versus printed workbook would have a similar impact on sedentary behaviors in children. Methods 131 children (age 8–12) were randomized to receive the AOM Family Intervention via the internet or workbook for 12 weeks. Changes in objectively measured sedentary time and moderate-to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as well as self-reported screen time were compared between groups. Results There were no significant differences between groups in screen time, sedentary time, or MVPA at the end of the 12 week intervention. Families receiving the intervention via the internet were more likely to remain in the study (98% vs. 82%, P = .016). Conclusions Using the internet to deliver the lifestyle intervention did not increase sedentary behavior in children. Attrition rates were lower when the program was delivered by internet versus via printed materials. These results provide support for using the internet to deliver healthy lifestyle programs for children.

Feasibility and Acceptability of an Internet-Based, African Dance-Modified Yoga Program for African-American Women with or at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome

“…Social support is a well-known mediator of physical activity and weight management in AA women [33,64-66]. In the current study, social support also emerged as a potential mediator to yogic dance.…”

Family‐based interventions to increase physical activity in children: a systematic review, meta‐analysis and realist synthesis

“…Forty‐seven interventions met inclusion criteria (Fig. ), of which 31 (66%) demonstrated a significant positive effect on physical activity.…”

Dance/Modified Yoga: A Health Strategy for African-American Women at Risk for Chronic Diseases

“…based delivery of PA interventions shows promise for enhancing diabetes and chronic disease self-management, more methods to sustain involvement with Internet-based PA interventions are needed . In a randomized, controlled trial of an Internet PA intervention versus printed workbooks alone, those in the printed workbook group were less likely to remain in the study and did not improve their sedentary behavior when compared to those in the Internet group (Catenacci et al, 2013).…”

“…Using the Internet to deliver PA. Several studies (Catenacci et al, 2013;Riiser, Løndal, Ommundsen, Sundar, & Helseth, 2013;) have demonstrated the use of the Internet as a resource for delivering PA interventions. An investigation of a theory-based Internet intervention using behavioral PA strategies supplemented with weekly, individualized information (tips sheets) to enhance PA uptake in sedentary adults demonstrated short-term benefits of moderateintensity PA both at 1-and 3-month follow-ups.…”

“…The Internet is visited often by AAs looking for information about their health and by AAs seeking to view videos online (Moore, 2011). The potential to use the Internet as a vehicle for delivering a health behavioral change program to individuals in their own homes also requires further investigation, and while modest enhancements in sedentary lifestyle have resulted in some short-term benefits (Catenacci et al, 2013;Riiser, Løndal, Ommundsen, Sundar, & Helseth, 2013;), Internet-based programs have not had the opportunity to demonstrate improvements in physical activity (PA) that rival face-to-face programs. The purpose of this review is two-fold: (1) to identify the current understanding of yoga-and dance-based therapies as complementary/supportive care modalities for management of symptoms related to metabolic syndrome; and (2) to interpret these findings in the broader context of the social determinants of health behavior and lifestyle change, particularly PA.…”