scholarly journals Usability Testing and Piloting of the Mums Step It Up Program - A Team-Based Social Networking Physical Activity Intervention for Women with Young Children

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e108842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jocelyn Kernot ◽  
Tim Olds ◽  
Lucy K. Lewis ◽  
Carol Maher
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Usability Testing

Formative Research to Develop the IDEFICS Physical Activity Intervention Component: Findings from Focus Groups with Children and Parents

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leen Haerens ◽  
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽  
Gabriele Eiben ◽  
Fabio Lauria ◽  
Silvia Bel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Intervention Component ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Children And Parents

Background:The current study aimed at describing influencing factors for physical activity among young children to determine the best approaches for developing the IDEFICS community based intervention.Methods:In 8 European sites a trained moderator conducted a minimum of 4 focus groups using standardized questioning guides. A total of 56 focus groups were conducted including 36 focus groups with parents and 20 focus groups with children, of which 74 were boys and 81 girls. Key findings were identified through independent reviews of focus group summary reports using content analysis methods.Findings:Findings were generally consistent across countries. The greatest emphasis was on environmental physical (eg, seasonal influences, availability of facilities and safety), institutional (eg, length of breaks at school), and social factors (eg, role modeling of parents). Most cited personal factors by parents were age, social economical status, and perceived barriers. Both children and parents mentioned the importance of children’s preferences.Conclusions:To increase physical activity levels of young children the intervention should aim at creating an environment (physical, institutional, social) supportive of physical activity. On the other hand strategies should take into account personal factors like age and social economical status and should consider personal barriers too.

scholarly journals Using a Mobile Social Networking App to Promote Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study of Users’ Perspectives (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huong Ly Tong ◽  
Enrico Coiera ◽  
Liliana Laranjo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Mobile Social Networking

BACKGROUND Despite many health benefits of physical activity, nearly a third of the world’s adult population is insufficiently active. Technological interventions, such as mobile apps, wearable trackers, and Web-based social networks, offer great promise in promoting physical activity, but little is known about users’ acceptability and long-term engagement with these interventions. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to understand users’ perspectives regarding a mobile social networking intervention to promote physical activity. METHODS Participants, mostly university students and staff, were recruited using purposive sampling techniques. Participants were enrolled in a 6-month feasibility study where they were provided with a wearable physical activity tracker (Fitbit Flex 2) and a wireless scale (Fitbit Aria) integrated with a social networking mobile app (named “fit.healthy.me”). We conducted semistructured, in-depth qualitative interviews and focus groups pre- and postintervention, which were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed in Nvivo 11 using thematic analysis techniques. RESULTS In this study, 55 participants were enrolled; 51% (28/55) were females, and the mean age was 23.6 (SD 4.6) years. The following 3 types of factors emerged from the data as influencing engagement with the intervention and physical activity: individual (self-monitoring of behavior, goal setting, and feedback on behavior), social (social comparison, similarity and familiarity between users, and participation from other users in the network), and technological. In addition, automation and personalization were observed as enhancing the delivery of both individual and social aspects. Technological limitations were mentioned as potential barriers to long-term usage. CONCLUSIONS Self-regulatory techniques and social factors are important to consider when designing a physical activity intervention, but a one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to satisfy different users’ preferences. Future research should adopt innovative research designs to test interventions that can adapt and respond to users’ needs and preferences throughout time.

Pilot Physical Activity Intervention Reduces Severity of ADHD Symptoms in Young Children

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan L. Smith ◽  
Betsy Hoza ◽  
Kate Linnea ◽  
Julia D. McQuade ◽  
Meghan Tomb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Adhd Symptoms

scholarly journals Study Protocol for the Evaluation of “SuperFIT”, a Multicomponent Nutrition and Physical Activity Intervention Approach for Preschools and Families

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 603
Author(s):  
Ilona van de Kolk ◽  
Sanne M. P. L. Gerards ◽  
Lisa S. E. Harms ◽  
Stef P. J. Kremers ◽  
Angela M. H. S. van Dinther-Erkens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Political Influence ◽  
Family Intervention ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Intervention Approach ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽  
Family Based

The promotion of healthy energy balance-related behaviours (EBRB) is already important for children at a young age. Different settings, for example childcare and home, play an important role in the EBRB of young children. Further, factors in different types of environment (e.g., physical, sociocultural and political) influence their behaviours. SuperFIT (Systems of Underprivileged Preschoolers in their home and preschool EnviRonment: Family Intervention Trial) is a comprehensive, integrated intervention approach for 2–4 year old children. This paper describes the development and design of the evaluation of SuperFIT. The SuperFIT intervention approach consists of preschool-based, family-based, and community-based components. Intervention activities aimed at changing the physical, sociocultural and political environments in each setting and establishing an increased alignment between the settings. A quasi-experimental design was adopted with twelve intervention and nine control preschools to evaluate effectiveness. The primary outcomes were Body Mass Index (BMI) z-scores (objectively assessed height and weight), dietary intake (24 h recall), and physical activity (accelerometer) of the children. Further, the effects on the nutrition- and physical activity-related practices of preschool teachers and parents were evaluated (questionnaires). Intervention effectiveness was evaluated using linear mixed models. Process evaluation was performed using mixed methods; both quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (observations and in-depth interviews) measures were used. The comprehensive, integrated approach of SuperFIT is expected to support healthy EBRB in young children.

scholarly journals Childcare Center Characteristics Moderate the Effects of a Physical Activity Intervention

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Ruth P. Saunders ◽  
Marsha Dowda ◽  
Karin A. Pfeiffer ◽  
William H. Brown ◽  
Russell R. Pate
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Program Outcomes ◽  
Childhood Environment ◽  
Early Childhood Environment

Center-based early childhood education and care (ECEC) programs are well-positioned to create positive impacts on the health and development of large numbers of young children by promoting physical activity using evidence-based programs. Studies testing physical activity programs for young children should examine the circumstances under which programs are most effective by assessing the role of contextual factors on program outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating effects of baseline ECEC center characteristics on the relationship between the Study of Health and Activity in Preschool Environments (SHAPES) intervention and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). MVPA was assessed via accelerometry; center characteristics, practices, and social and physical environments were assessed by director interview and observation; and center quality was assessed using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised Edition. Mixed-model analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) examined intervention effects on MVPA during the school day; interactions between baseline center variables and group assignment (intervention vs. control) tested for moderation. Two center instructional practices, two social environment characteristics, and one physical environment characteristic at baseline moderated the effects of SHAPES on MVPA outcomes. Assessing baseline practices and center characteristics may aid efforts to match centers with interventions likely to increase physical activity as well as suggest additional intervention strategies to test.

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