scholarly journals Mobile Device Use Among Rural, Low-Income Families and the Feasibility of an App to Encourage Preschoolers’ Physical Activity: Qualitative Study

10.2196/10858 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. e10858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan L McCloskey ◽  
Darcy A Thompson ◽  
Barbara Chamberlin ◽  
Lauren Clark ◽  
Susan L Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Mobile Device ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
Device Use

Mobile Device Use Among Rural, Low-Income Families and the Feasibility of an App to Encourage Preschoolers’ Physical Activity: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan L McCloskey ◽  
Darcy A Thompson ◽  
Barbara Chamberlin ◽  
Lauren Clark ◽  
Susan L Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Mobile Device ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Behavior Management ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Parent Beliefs ◽  
Intervention Delivery ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
Device Use

BACKGROUND As mobile devices are becoming ubiquitous, technology-based interventions provide a promising strategy to positively influence health behaviors of families with young children. However, questions remain about the feasibility and acceptability of intervention delivery via mobile apps in low-income, rural settings and among families with preschoolers. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to understand the content and context of mobile device use for preschoolers; explore parent beliefs on this topic, including the acceptability of intervention delivery via mobile devices; and test a prototype of an app to encourage preschoolers’ physical activity with both parents and children. METHODS Parents (n=29) were recruited from 5 preschool centers in eastern, rural Colorado to complete a semistructured telephone interview regarding preschoolers’ mobile device use. A second sample of parents (n=31) was recruited from the same preschool centers to view the app prototype independently and provide feedback. A third sample of preschool children (n=24) was videotaped using the app in small groups to measure engagement and record their responses to the app. RESULTS Five key content areas emerged from the telephone interviews: (1) mobile devices are an important part of families’ everyday routines, and parents have parameters governing their use; (2) parents often use mobile devices as a tool for behavior management; (3) parents clearly distinguish between mobile device use for learning versus entertainment; (4) parents have an overarching desire for balance in regard to their child’s mobile device use; and (5) parents were generally supportive of the idea of using mobile apps for intervention delivery. From the app prototype testing with parents, participants reacted positively to the app and felt that it would be useful in a variety of situations. Testing with preschoolers showed the children were highly engaged with the app and a majority remained standing and/or actively moving through the entire length of the app. CONCLUSIONS Mobile devices are already integrated into most families’ daily routines and appear to be an acceptable method of intervention delivery in low-income families in rural Colorado. The physical activity app represents an innovative way to reach these families and, with further improvements based on participant feedback, will provide children with a unique opportunity to practice key movement skills.

scholarly journals A positive deviance-based qualitative study of stress, coping, and feeding practices among low-income, Hispanic mothers whose children do versus do not meet guidelines for fruit and vegetable intake

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 584-604
Author(s):  
Eleanor Shonkoff ◽  
Sara C Folta ◽  
Theodore Fitopoulos ◽  
Cynthia N Ramirez ◽  
Ricky Bluthenthal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
The United States ◽  
Positive Deviance ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Hispanic Mothers

Abstract Less than 1% of children in the United States concurrently meet guidelines for fruit/vegetable intake, physical activity, screen time, and sugar-sweetened beverages. Prior evidence suggests that parents of this 1% potentially cope with stress differently. This qualitative study used a positive deviance-based approach to locate mothers whose children avoided negative feeding outcomes despite being ‘high-risk’ for obesity. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Spanish for two groups: low-income, Hispanic mothers whose children were normal weight and met recommendations for fruits/vegetables and physical activity (n = 5); and a comparison group whose children had obesity and did not meet guidelines (n = 8). Topics included weight-related parenting practices, attitudes toward health, and stress management. Interviews were transcribed, translated, and coded using NVivo for theoretically driven thematic analysis. Results suggested that mothers viewed stress differently. Mothers of healthy weight children believed stress could be prevented, such as by paying children more attention or directing one’s attention away from stressors; comparison group mothers tended to report stress about managing their child’s eating and about financial worries. Future research is needed to understand the underlying sources of these differences (e.g. personality traits, coping practices) and test whether stress prevention interventions can promote healthy parental feeding practices.

Participant Perceptions of Character Concepts in a Physical Activity–Based Positive Youth Development Program

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 481-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaina Riciputi ◽  
Meghan H. McDonough ◽  
Sarah Ullrich-French
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Character Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
The Impact

Physical activity–based positive youth development (PYD) programs often aim to foster character development. This study examined youth perspectives of character development curricula and the impact these activities have on their lives within and beyond the program. This case study examined youth from low-income families in a physical activity–based summer PYD program that integrated one character concept (respect, caring, responsibility, trust) in each of 4 weeks. Participants (N = 24) included a cross section of age, gender, ethnicity, and past program experience. Semi-structured interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis and constant comparative methods. Thirteen themes were grouped in four categories: building highquality reciprocal relationships; intrapersonal improvement; moral reasoning and understanding; and rejection, resistance, and compliance. The findings provide participant-centered guidance for understanding youth personal and social development through physical activity in ways that are meaningful to participants, which is particularly needed for youth in low-income communities with limited youth programming.

scholarly journals Objective sleep and physical activity using 24-hour ankle-worn accelerometry among toddlers from low-income families

Sleep Health ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 459-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget Armstrong ◽  
Lauren B. Covington ◽  
Erin R. Hager ◽  
Maureen M. Black
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Families

scholarly journals Parent Perceptions on a Walking School Bus Program Among Low-Income Families: A Qualitative Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1047-1053
Author(s):  
Katie Teller ◽  
Mark Abbey-Lambertz ◽  
Nasira Sharma ◽  
Alan Waite ◽  
Scott Ickes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Parent Perceptions ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Bus ◽  
Recruitment Methods ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
Walking School Bus

Background: The walking school bus (WSB) is a promising intervention to increase walking to school and physical activity in school-age children. The aim of this qualitative study was to assess parent perceptions of a WSB program that was part of a randomized controlled trial to inform future programs. Methods: The authors interviewed 45 parents whose children had participated in a WSB program in the Seattle area, in which third- and fifth-grade students walked to/from school with adult chaperones along a set route. The authors performed a qualitative analysis of the interview transcripts and coded interview segments into 4 broad categories as follows: facilitators, barriers, general positive sentiments, and proposals. Results: Most parents spoke of the benefits of the WSB program; in particular, parents frequently applauded exercise/physical health benefits. Of the barriers, the most frequently cited was time, with work schedule and commute changes leading some families to walk less frequently. Conclusions: Most parents voiced support for the WSB program as a means to improve child health, to learn pedestrian safety, and to interact with positive adult role models. Parents made several suggestions to improve the program, including better recruitment methods, logistical improvements, and a platform for communicating with other parents.

The Effect of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program on Physical Activity and Health-Related Fitness in Children From Low-Income Families

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 888-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy A. Brusseau ◽  
James Hannon ◽  
Ryan Burns
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Comprehensive School ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Physical Activity Program ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Low Income Families

Background:The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) on physical activity and health-related fitness (HRF) in children from low-income families.Methods:Participants included 1390 children recruited from kindergarten through sixth grade (mean age = 8.4 ± 1.8 years). Physical activity measures were collected at baseline and at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after program implementation, and HRF measures were collected at baseline and at 12 weeks after program implementation.Results:There were significant but weak-to-moderate increases in step counts (mean difference = 603.1 steps, P < .001, d = 0.39) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (mean difference = 4.9 minutes, P < .001, d = 0.39) at 12 weeks compared with baseline. There were also significant but moderate increases in Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run laps (mean difference = 6.5 laps, P < .001, d = 0.47) at 12 weeks compared with baseline. Generalized mixed models respectively yielded 3.02 and 2.34 greater odds that a child would achieve step count and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity standards and 2.26 greater odds that a child would achieve aerobic fitness standards at 12 weeks compared with baseline (P < .001).Conclusions:The 12-week CSPAP improved physical activity and HRF in children from low-income families; however, the magnitude of the effects was weak to moderate.

Informing the Adaptation and Implementation of a Lifestyle Modification Program in Hispanics: A Qualitative Study Among Low-Income Hispanic Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francia G. Portacio ◽  
Pamela Botero ◽  
Sara M. St. George ◽  
Mark Stoutenberg
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Lifestyle Modification ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Hispanic Adults

Low-income Hispanics are a hard to reach population that face unique challenges in achieving behavior change. Understanding such challenges can inform the adaptation of lifestyle behavioral interventions and increase participant engagement. This descriptive qualitative study aimed to (1) inform lifestyle modification programs focused on improving the physical activity and healthy eating of low-income Hispanic adults and (2) explore potential gender differences necessary for consideration. Five gender-specific focus groups were conducted with Hispanic adults from a free community clinic ( n = 45, 64% women, 53.1 ± 10.1 years). Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded using a general inductive approach. The qualitative software program Dedoose was used to perform a content analysis. Emergent themes included topics of interest, methods of increasing engagement in healthy behaviors, and the delivery of lifestyle modification programs. Men expressed greater interest in physical activity, while women desired to learn about healthy eating. Men described the importance of physician communication, while women focused on the role of social support as facilitators for participating in such programs. Both genders described education as key to behavior change and viewed text messaging as a valuable complement. Results from this study can inform the adaptation of lifestyle modification programs and increase the engagement of low-income Hispanic populations.

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