Adding Family Digital Supports to Classroom-Based Physical Activity Interventions to Target In-and Out-of-School Activity: An Evaluation of the Stay Active Intervention duringthe COVID-19 Pandemic

Creator(s)

Bethany Forseth Hanson, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Adrian Ortega, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Paul R. Hibbing, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Mallory Moon, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Chelsea Steel, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Mehar Singh, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Avinash Kollu, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Bryce Miller, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Maurice Miller, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Vincent S. Staggs, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Hannah Calvert
Ann M. Davis, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Jordan A. Carlson, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-16-2021

Identifier

DOi: 10.51250/jheal.v1i4.31

Abstract

Introduction: Interventions targeting multiple levels of influence and settings may have a greater impact on children’s total daily physical activity than those targeting a single setting. This study evaluated the addition of family supports to a classroom-based physical activity intervention.

Methods: 6 schools were randomized to a remotely delivered classroom-based physical activity only (CBPA) or classroom-based physical activity plus family (CBPA+) arm. The latter added behavior change tools (e.g., self-regulation) delivered via text messages and newsletters to caregiver/child dyads. The intervention lasted for 7 weeks with a 1-week baseline and 1-week post-intervention assessment (9 weeks total). Children who enrolled in the evaluation study received a Garmin activity monitor, which was used to tailor the text messages and evaluate changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Caregivers completed surveys evaluating intervention acceptability.

Results: The 53 child participants (CBPA n=35; CBPA+ n=18) were 9.7±0.7 years old, 64% were female, 59% were Black, and 23% were Hispanic/Latinx. Almost 90% of caregivers reported high satisfaction with the added family-based intervention content. Adherence to wearing the Garmin was higher in the CBPA+ arm. MVPA was low at baseline and during the first 3 weeks of the intervention (CBPA 7.5±3.1 minutes/day; CBPA+ 7.9±2.7 minutes/day) and increased by ~45 min/day by weeks 6-8 (CBPA 56.8±34.2 minutes/day; CBPA+ 49.2±18.7minutes/day). Changes in MVPA were similar between arms.

Conclusion: The high acceptability and intervention engagement in the CBPA+ arm show promise for integrating mHealth tools to provide additional family support in multilevel multiapproach interventions targeting children’s physical activity.

Journal Title

Journal of Healthy Eating and Active Living

Volume

1

Issue

4

First Page

214

Last Page

228

Keywords

mHealth; mobile health; short messaging system (SMS); pediatric; school; wearables

Comments

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Publisher's Link: http://profpubs.com/index.php/jheal/article/view/31

Recommended Citation

Forseth B, Ortega A, Hibbing P, et al. Adding family digital supports to classroom-based physical activity interventions to target in- and out-of-school activity: An evaluation of the stay active intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Healthy Eating and Active Living. 2021;1(4):214-228. doi:10.51250/jheal.v1i4.31