Measurement characteristics of dietary psychosocial scales in a Weight Gain Prevention Study with 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls

BACKGROUND The use of digital tools to promote daily self-weighing and daily activity tracking may be a promising strategy for weight control among African American breast cancer survivors (AABCS). There have been no studies exploring the acceptability and feasibility of using digital tools for weight control or qualitative studies characterizing perceptions of daily self-weighing and daily activity tracking among AABCS. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the subjective experiences of daily self-weighing and daily activity tracking using digital tools, including wireless scales and activity trackers, in a sample of AABCS participating in two technology-based weight gain prevention interventions over 6 months. METHODS Semistructured interviews (N=21) were conducted in person or over the phone, were audio recorded, and then transcribed verbatim. Each transcript was read to identify key themes and develop a codebook. Each transcript was coded using Atlas.ti software, and code outputs were used to identify overarching themes and patterns in the data. RESULTS On average, participants were 52.6 (SD 8.3) years of age, with obesity at baseline (BMI 33.1 kg/m<sup>2</sup>, SD 5.9), and weighed on 123.4 (SD 48.0) days out of the 168 days (73.5%) in the study period. Women tended to attribute their weight gain to cancer treatment and framed program benefits in terms of improved quality of life and perceptions of prolonging their survival following treatment. Using the smart scale for daily self-weighing was viewed as the tool by which participants could control their weight and improve their health and well-being posttreatment. The activity tracker increased awareness of physical activity and motivated participants to be more active. CONCLUSIONS Participants reported positive experiences and benefits from daily self-weighing and daily activity tracking. Findings suggest that daily self-weighing and daily activity tracking using digital tools are well-received, acceptable, and feasible intervention strategies for AABCS in the context of posttreatment weight management.

Download Full-text

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Culturally Tailored Dance and Reducing Screen Time to Prevent Weight Gain in Low-Income African American Girls

Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine ◽

10.1001/archpediatrics.2010.197 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 164 (11) ◽

Cited By ~ 93

Author(s):

Thomas N. Robinson ◽

Donna M. Matheson ◽

Helena C. Kraemer ◽

Darrell M. Wilson ◽

Eva Obarzanek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

African American ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Low Income ◽

Screen Time ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

African American Girls ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Culturally Tailored ◽

Prevent Weight Gain

Download Full-text

Occupation Is Related to Weight and Lifestyle Factors Among Employees at Worksites Involved in a Weight Gain Prevention Study

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1097/jom.0000000000000543 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 57 (10) ◽

pp. e114-e120 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kim M. Gans ◽

Judith Salkeld ◽

Patricia Markham Risica ◽

Erin Lenz ◽

Deborah Burton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Lifestyle Factors ◽

Weight Gain Prevention ◽

Prevention Study

Download Full-text

Experiences of African American Breast Cancer Survivors Using Digital Scales and Activity Trackers in a Weight Gain Prevention Intervention: Qualitative Study

JMIR mhealth and uhealth ◽

10.2196/16059 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. e16059

Author(s):

Julianne M Power ◽

Deborah F Tate ◽

Carmina G Valle

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

African American ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Daily Activity ◽

Weight Control ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Digital Tools ◽

Weight Gain Prevention ◽

Activity Tracking ◽

Activity Trackers

Background The use of digital tools to promote daily self-weighing and daily activity tracking may be a promising strategy for weight control among African American breast cancer survivors (AABCS). There have been no studies exploring the acceptability and feasibility of using digital tools for weight control or qualitative studies characterizing perceptions of daily self-weighing and daily activity tracking among AABCS. Objective This study aimed to explore the subjective experiences of daily self-weighing and daily activity tracking using digital tools, including wireless scales and activity trackers, in a sample of AABCS participating in two technology-based weight gain prevention interventions over 6 months. Methods Semistructured interviews (N=21) were conducted in person or over the phone, were audio recorded, and then transcribed verbatim. Each transcript was read to identify key themes and develop a codebook. Each transcript was coded using Atlas.ti software, and code outputs were used to identify overarching themes and patterns in the data. Results On average, participants were 52.6 (SD 8.3) years of age, with obesity at baseline (BMI 33.1 kg/m2, SD 5.9), and weighed on 123.4 (SD 48.0) days out of the 168 days (73.5%) in the study period. Women tended to attribute their weight gain to cancer treatment and framed program benefits in terms of improved quality of life and perceptions of prolonging their survival following treatment. Using the smart scale for daily self-weighing was viewed as the tool by which participants could control their weight and improve their health and well-being posttreatment. The activity tracker increased awareness of physical activity and motivated participants to be more active. Conclusions Participants reported positive experiences and benefits from daily self-weighing and daily activity tracking. Findings suggest that daily self-weighing and daily activity tracking using digital tools are well-received, acceptable, and feasible intervention strategies for AABCS in the context of posttreatment weight management.

Download Full-text