RESUMEN
Rural-dwelling, overweight/obese, limited-resource individuals and women have the lowest leisure-time physical activity rates among Americans. This community-based, single-group pre- posttest study sought to increase physical activity, step counts, and promote weight loss in 104 low-income women (84% rural). Analyses included nonparametric and repeated-measures analyses of variance to determine physical activity behaviors, step counts, and weight loss. Results show, from pre- to postintervention, participants improved self-reported step counts, physical activity goal setting and behaviors, and body weight. This study adds support that text message programs can reach a high-risk, limited-resource, predominantly rural population to promote physical activity and weight loss.
Asunto(s)
Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Obesidad/prevención & control , Obesidad/terapia , Telemedicina/métodos , Pérdida de Peso/fisiología , Adulto , Alabama , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pobreza , Población Rural , Envío de Mensajes de Texto , Estados Unidos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Recent shifts in public health approaches to reduce and prevent chronic disease encourage interventions to include multiple levels of the social ecological model. The objective of this 1-group pretest-posttest study was to determine differences in faith community policies and environments; interpersonal support; and individual behavior before and after Live Well Faith Communities, a 9-week, faith-based health promotion initiative. The study included a convenience sample of faith communities and participants. Validated instruments assessed faith communities' policies and environments and participants' interpersonal and individual practices and behaviors. Seventy-two small-group sessions with 737 adults were implemented in 14 faith communities. Faith communities adopted policies requiring healthy options for meals and snacks and implemented environmental changes to promote healthy eating and physical activity. Participants reported significant improvements in healthy eating encouragement, shopping practices, and vegetable consumption. Multilevel interventions prompt community organizations to become healthier places and individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad Crónica , Dieta Saludable , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud , Servicios Preventivos de Salud , Salud Rural/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto , Alabama/epidemiología , Enfermedad Crónica/epidemiología , Enfermedad Crónica/prevención & control , Enfermedad Crónica/psicología , Atención a la Salud/organización & administración , Dieta Saludable/normas , Dieta Saludable/estadística & datos numéricos , Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Ejercicio Físico/psicología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Servicios Preventivos de Salud/organización & administración , Servicios Preventivos de Salud/normas , Servicios Preventivos de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Salud Pública/métodos , Salud Pública/estadística & datos numéricos , Población RuralRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors and weight after implementation of a 12-week text messaging initiative (My Quest). DESIGN: The researchers conducted a 1-group, pre- to posttest study design to determine changes after implementation of a text messaging initiative developed using the tenets of the Social Cognitive Theory. SETTING: A total of 55 Alabama counties (84% rural) with high rates of poverty, overweight/obesity, and chronic diseases. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of low-income, primarily overweight/obese women (n = 104). INTERVENTION: Short texts (n = 2-3/d) provided health tips, reminders, and goal-setting prompts. Weekly electronic newsletters provided tips and recipes. Participant self-monitored body weight weekly. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Outcomes included goal setting, self-efficacy, behavioral and environmental factors, self-monitoring, and body weight; data collection occurred through text message response and online surveys. ANALYSIS: Analyses were conducted using McNemar test (dichotomous data), Wilcoxon signed rank test (ordinal data), or paired t test (continuous data). RESULTS: Participants significantly (P < .05) improved dietary and physical activity behaviors and food environment; increased dietary and physical activity goal setting; and reduced body weight. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: A low-cost, text messaging initiative particularly targeting women residing in rural communities with high rates of poverty and obesity can promote weight loss and improve dietary and physical activity behaviors. Future studies may include a control group and social support component such as group text messaging.