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Use of Wearable Technology and Social Media to Improve Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors among College Students: A 12-Week Randomized Pilot Study

Author

Listed:
  • Zachary C. Pope

    (Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 S. 2nd St., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Daheia J. Barr-Anderson

    (School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, 1900 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Beth A. Lewis

    (School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, 1900 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Mark A. Pereira

    (Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 S. 2nd St., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Zan Gao

    (School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, 1900 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

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; X age = 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Zachary C. Pope & Daheia J. Barr-Anderson & Beth A. Lewis & Mark A. Pereira & Zan Gao, 2019. "Use of Wearable Technology and Social Media to Improve Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors among College Students: A 12-Week Randomized Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:19:p:3579-:d:270414
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Fang Yuan & Sanying Peng & Ahmad Zamri Khairani & Jinghong Liang, 2024. "A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Physical Activity Interventions among University Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Sanying Peng & Fang Yuan & Ahmad Tajuddin Othman & Xiaogang Zhou & Gang Shen & Jinghong Liang, 2022. "The Effectiveness of E-Health Interventions Promoting Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Behavior in College Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Héctor José Tricás-Vidal & María Concepción Vidal-Peracho & María Orosia Lucha-López & César Hidalgo-García & Sofía Monti-Ballano & Sergio Márquez-Gonzalvo & José Miguel Tricás-Moreno, 2022. "Impact of Fitness Influencers on the Level of Physical Activity Performed by Instagram Users in the United States of America: Analytical Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-10, November.
    4. Federica Duregon & Valentina Bullo & Andrea Di Blasio & Lucia Cugusi & Martina Pizzichemi & Salvatore Sciusco & Gianluca Viscioni & David Cruz-Diaz & Danilo Sales Bocalini & Alessandro Bortoletto & Fr, 2022. "The Role of Facebook ® in Promoting a Physically Active Lifestyle: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-27, August.
    5. Liane Günther & Sarah Schleberger & Claudia R. Pischke, 2021. "Effectiveness of Social Media-Based Interventions for the Promotion of Physical Activity: Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-14, December.
    6. Blanca Lozano-Chacon & Victor Suarez-Lledo & Javier Alvarez-Galvez, 2021. "Use and Effectiveness of Social-Media-Delivered Weight Loss Interventions among Teenagers and Young Adults: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-20, August.

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