Do mass media campaigns improve physical activity? a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

BackgroundMass media campaigns are frequently used to influence the health behaviors of various populations. There are currently no quantitative meta-analyses of the effect of mass media campaigns on physical activity in adults.MethodsWe searched six electronic databases from their inception to August 2012 and selected prospective studies that evaluated the effect of mass media campaigns on physical activity in adults. We excluded studies that did not have a proper control group or did not report the uncertainties of the effect estimates. Two reviewers independently screened the title/abstracts and full articles. We used random-effects models to pool effect estimates across studies for 3 selected outcomes.ResultsNine prospective cohorts and before-after studies that followed-up 27,601 people over 8 weeks to 3 years met the inclusion criteria. Based on the pooled results from these studies, mass media campaigns had a significant effect on promoting moderate intensity walking (pooled relative risk (RR) from 3 studies=1.53, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.25 to 1.87), but did not help participants achieve sufficient levels of physical activity [4 studies pooled RR=1.02, 95% CI: 0.91 to 1.14)]. The apparent effect of media campaigns on reducing sedentary behavior (pooled RR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.30) was lost when a relatively low-quality study with large effects was excluded in a sensitivity analysis. In subgroup analyses, campaigns that promoted physical activity as a ‘social norm’ seemed to be more effective in reducing sedentary behavior.ConclusionMass media campaigns may promote walking but may not reduce sedentary behavior or lead to achieving recommended levels of overall physical activity. Further research is warranted on different campaign types and in low- and middle- income countries.

A Mixed‐Methods Study on Factors Influencing Prenatal Weight Gain in Ethnic‐Minority Women

“…37 For example, a meta-analysis of 9 studies promoting walking reported that mass media campaigns increased the likelihood of meeting sufficient walking goals (defined as brisk walking for 150 minutes a week) by 53% (pooled relative risk 1.53; 95% CI,1.25-1.87). 38 Because many women in our study reported that it was difficult to make too many changes from their prepregnancy patterns of eating and exercise, these campaigns ideally should begin before women become pregnant.…”

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“…However, 4 in 5 U.S. adults do not meet recommended levels of physical activity guidelines [3]. Various programs such as provision of economic incentives [4], mass media campaigns [5], point-of-decision prompts [6], neighborhood built environment remodeling [7], social network interventions [8], etc., have been employed to promote active living. However, existing programs addressing sedentary behavior and physical inactivity have only limited success in facilitating long-term behavior modification and maintenance [9, 10].…”

Promoting Physical Activity With Group Pictures. Affiliation-Based Visual Communication for High-Risk Populations

“…Although evaluations from such mass media campaigns have reported significant increases in physical activity levels (Abioye, Hajifathalian, & Danaei, 2013), it is still unclear what types of message strategies are most effective in increasing physical activity, especially for highrisk populations.…”