scholarly journals Health- or Environment-Focused Text Messages as a Potential Strategy to Increase Plant-Based Eating among Young Adults: An Exploratory Study

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 3147
Author(s):  
Tze Joo Lim ◽  
Richard Nii Okine ◽  
Jonathan C. Kershaw
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Plant Protein ◽  
Explanatory Role ◽  
Potential Strategy ◽  
Text Message Intervention

Previous plant-based diet (PBD) adoption strategies have primarily focused on health rather than environmental rationale and meat reduction rather than plant-based protein promotion. In this study, we explored the effect of a theory-informed text-message intervention on dietary intentions and behaviors in young adult omnivores and the potential explanatory role of PBD beliefs, subjective norm, self-efficacy, moral norm, and health and environmental values. Participants completed baseline questionnaires and reported dietary intake before being randomly assigned to receive 2–3 health- or environment-focused text messages per week for eight weeks and then repeated baseline assessments. Although we did not see significant changes in meat or plant protein intake, we did observe a marked decrease in intentions to consume animal protein and a marginal increase in fruit and vegetable consumption intention. We identified subjective norms, self-efficacy, and moral satisfaction as the strongest predictors of changes in intention to consume animal or plant protein. Although few group differences were observed, those receiving environment-focused text messages experienced a greater change in values and were more likely to increase vegetable intake. Messages that improve sustainability awareness and provide practical adoption strategies may be part of an effective strategy to influence PBD intake among young adults.

scholarly journals A Text Message Intervention with Adaptive Goal Support to Reduce Alcohol Consumption Among Non-Treatment-Seeking Young Adults: Non-Randomized Clinical Trial with Voluntary Length of Enrollment (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Suffoletto ◽  
Tammy Chung ◽  
Frederick Muench ◽  
Peter Monti ◽  
Duncan B Clark
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Confidence Score ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Goal Commitment ◽  
Reduce Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Text Message Intervention

BACKGROUND Stand-alone text message–based interventions can reduce binge drinking episodes (≥4 drinks for women and ≥5 drinks for men) among nontreatment-seeking young adults, but may not be optimized. Adaptive text message support could enhance effectiveness by assisting context-specific goal setting and striving, but it remains unknown how to best integrate it into text message interventions. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate young adults’ engagement with a text message intervention, Texting to Reduce Alcohol Consumption 2 (TRAC2), which focuses on reducing weekend alcohol consumption. TRAC2 incorporated preweekend drinking-limit goal-commitment ecological momentary assessments (EMA) tailored to past 2-week alcohol consumption, intraweekend goal reminders, self-efficacy EMA with support tailored to goal confidence, and maximum weekend alcohol consumption EMA with drinking limit goal feedback. METHODS We enrolled 38 nontreatment-seeking young adults (aged 18 to 25 years) who screened positive for hazardous drinking in an urban emergency department. Following a 2-week text message assessment-only run-in, subjects were given the opportunity to enroll in 4-week intervention blocks. We examined patterns of EMA responses and voluntary re-enrollment. We then examined how goal commitment and goal self-efficacy related to event-level alcohol consumption. Finally, we examined the association of length of TRAC2 exposure with alcohol-related outcomes from baseline to 3-month follow-up. RESULTS Among a diverse sample of young adults (56% [28/50] female, 54% [27/50] black, 32% [12/50] college enrolled), response rates to EMA queries were, on average, 82% for the first 4-week intervention block, 75% for the second 4-week block, and 73% for the third 4-week block. In the first 4 weeks of the intervention, drinking limit goal commitment was made 68/71 times it was prompted (96%). The percentage of subjects being prompted to commit to a drinking limit goal above the binge threshold was 52% (15/29) in week 1 and decreased to 0% (0/15) by week 4. Subjects met their goal 130/146 of the times a goal was committed to (89.0%). There were lower rates of goal success when subjects reported lower confidence (score <4) in meeting the goal (76% [32/42 weekends]) compared with that when subjects reported high confidence (98% [56/57 weekends]; P=.001). There were reductions in alcohol consumption from baseline to 3 months, but reductions were not different by length of intervention exposure. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary evidence suggests that nontreatment-seeking young adults will engage with a text message intervention incorporating self-regulation support features, resulting in high rates of weekend drinking limit goal commitment and goal success.

Efficacy and Impact of an mHealth Intervention to promote Mental Wellness for American Indian and Alaska Native Teens and Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the BRAVE Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Craig Rushing ◽  
Allyson Kelley ◽  
Sheana Bull ◽  
David Stephens ◽  
Julia Wrobel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Culturally Relevant ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Mental Wellness

BACKGROUND Culturally-relevant interventions are needed to help American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) teens and young adults navigate common risky situations involving family and friends, including drug and alcohol misuse, dating violence, and suicidality. We R Native – a multimedia health resource for Native teens and young adults – designed an intervention for Native youth, delivered via text message, that includes role model videos, mental wellness strategies, and links to culturally-relevant resources (hotlines, chat-lines, websites, etc.) and social support. OBJECTIVE This study aims to test the efficacy of BRAVE to improve participant’s physical, mental, and spiritual health, their use of mental wellness strategies, their help-seeking skills, and associated factors, including cultural resilience, identity, and cultural pride. METHODS The randomized controlled trial was carried out by the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and the mHealth Impact Lab. The team recruited 2,334 AI/AN teens and young adults nationwide (15-24 years old) via social media channels and text message and enrolled 1,044 to participate. AI/AN teens and young adults enrolled in the study received either: 8 weeks of BRAVE text messages designed to improve mental health, help-seeking skills, and cultural resilience; or 8 weeks of STEM text messages, designed to elevate and re-affirm Native voices in science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEM); and then received the other set of messages. Primary and secondary outcomes were tested using linear mixed-effect models and linear regressions. RESULTS A total of 833 AI/AN teens and young adults were included in the analysis. Individuals in the BRAVE and STEM arms showed significant positive trends over the course of the study for all primary outcomes except cultural identity and help seeking behavior. Mean scores were significantly different for health (P<.001), resilience (P<.001), negative coping (P=.027), positive coping (P<.001), self-efficacy (P=.021), and self-esteem (P<.001). Changes in help-seeking self-efficacy were significant for those exhibiting risky behavior at baseline to exit (P=.01). Those who reported positive coping scores at baseline also reported better health on average, but no difference in risky drug and alcohol use (P<.001). The number of participants that used text messages to help themselves increased from 69% at 3-months (427/618) to 75% at 8-months (381/501) (P<.001). Similarly, the number of participants that used text messages to help a friend or family member increased from 22% at 3-months (138/616) to 55% at 8-months (272/498). CONCLUSIONS This is the first nationwide randomized controlled trial for AI/AN teens and young adults to test the efficacy of an mHealth intervention on mental wellness. The findings suggest that culturally-relevant multimedia, mHealth interventions can improve help-seeking behavior. Lessons learned from this study may help other AI/AN-serving organizations, prevention programs, policymakers, researchers, and educators as they support the next generation of AI/AN change-makers.

A Newsletter/Text Message Intervention Promoting Beverage-Related Parenting Practices: Pilot Test Results

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 897-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arwa Zahid ◽  
Marla Reicks
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Parenting Practices ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Reduce Sugar ◽  
Text Message Intervention ◽  
Home Availability

Positive beverage parenting practices may reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption by children and prevent potential health problems. An online newsletter/text message intervention was conducted with parents of children 6 to 12 years to improve beverage parenting practices. Newsletters and text messages were sent weekly over a 4-week period providing gain-framed messages encouraging parenting practices including role modeling and controlling home beverage availability. Pre–post surveys included measures of home availability of beverages and parent beverage intake as an indication of parenting practices. Parents were primarily White, well-educated, and female. About one third lived in rural areas. Results from 100 parents with pre–post data from baseline to 4 weeks showed decreased reported home availability of regular soda pop (p = .008), decreased parent intake of sweetened beverages (p = .004), and decreased parent-reported child intake of regular soft drinks (p = .001), and sweetened juice drink beverages (p < .0001). Most parents (82%) reported reading all three newsletters and indicated that the information provided was relevant (93%). A brief newsletter/text message intervention may be a positive and convenient approach to promote positive beverage parenting practices.

scholarly journals Acceptability and Effects of a Mobile Digital Intervention to Support Mental Health for Young Adults Transitioning to College: Pilot Randomized Trial During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Suffoletto ◽  
Tina Goldstein ◽  
Dawn Gotkiewicz ◽  
Emily Gotkiewicz ◽  
Branie George ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Web Based ◽  
System Usability Scale

BACKGROUND The transition from high school to college can exacerbate mental health problems in young adults yet barriers prevent seamless mental health care. Existing digital support tools show promise, but are not yet designed to optimize engagement or implementation. OBJECTIVE Test acceptability and effects of an automated digital Mobile Support Tool for Mental Health (MoST-MH) for young adults transitioning to college METHODS Youth aged 18 years with a current mental health diagnosis preparing to transition to college (n=52; 85% female, 91% White race) were recruited from one primary care (n=31) and one mental health clinic (n=21). Participants were randomized 2:1 to either receive MoST-MH (n=34) or enhanced Usual Care (eUC; n=18). MoST-MH included periodic text-message and web-based check-ins of emotional health, stressors, negative impacts, and self-efficacy, which informed tailored self-care support messages. Both eUC and MoST-MH participants received links to a library of psycho-educational videos and were asked to complete web-based versions of the Mental Health Self-Efficacy Scale (MHSES), College Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS), and Client Service Receipt Inventory for Mental Health (C-SRI) monthly for 3 months and Post-Study System Usability Scale (PSSUQ) at 3-months. RESULTS MoST-MH participants were sent a median of 5 (range 3 to 10) text-message check-in prompts over the 3-month study period and 100% were completed and participants were sent a median of 2 (range 1 to 8) web-based check-in prompts among which 78% were completed. PSSUQ scores indicate high usability (mean score 2.0). Results from the completer analysis demonstrated reductions in mental health symptoms over time and significant between-group effects of MoST-MH compared to eUC on depressive symptom severity (d = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.08-0.64). No significant differences in mental health self-efficacy or MH healthcare utilization were observed. CONCLUSIONS In this pilot trial we found preliminary evidence that MoST-MH was engaged with at high rates, was found to be highly usable, and reduced depression symptoms relative to enhanced usual care among youth with mental health disorders transitioning to college. Findings were measured during the COVID-19 pandemic and study was not powered to detect differences in outcomes between groups, therefore further testing is needed.

scholarly journals 1527Effect of a text-messaging intervention on oral self-care practices in antenatal women in Delhi, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saurav Basu ◽  
Anjali Rajeev ◽  
Suneela Garg ◽  
Mongjam Singh
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Oral Health Promotion ◽  
Text Message Intervention

Abstract Objective to determine the effect of a mHealth (text-message) intervention compared with a structured health educational session on the oral care and hygiene practices of pregnant women. Methods We conducted a pilot Randomized Control Trial parallel design superiority trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio. A total of 76 pregnant women up-to 20 weeks of gestational age and capable of reading mobile phone text-messages were recruited during August-October’ 2020 from the antenatal clinic of a primary health centre in a low-income urban agglomeration in Delhi, India. The mHealth intervention arm participants were sent a daily text-message for 30 days while all participants were provided a face-face, brief didactic structured educational sessions towards oral health promotion. Results The baseline characteristics of both groups were comparable in terms of age-structure, education, parity, and oral hygiene but differed in terms of oral health problems. Post-intervention, although, the twice-brushing frequency increased in both arms, only the mHealth arm revealed a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of missed twice daily brushing episodes (p = 0.016). The absolute effect size for the primary outcome signifying the difference in the proportion of participants reporting twice daily brushing frequency habit between the mHealth and comparison arms’ was 0.090, the Cohen’s H was 0.182, and the odds of twice brushing habit in the mHealth arm was 1.44 times higher than in the comparison arm. Conclusions a mHealth based daily text-message intervention for one month was not superior to a one-time brief didactic structured educational intervention for oral health promotion in antenatal women. Keywords mHealth; Dental health promotion; Dental health education; Antenatal care

scholarly journals Testing the feasibility and acceptability of a religiously-tailored text messaging intervention to reduce smoking among Somali Muslim men during Ramadan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekah Pratt ◽  
Olamide Ojo-Fati ◽  
Diana DuBois ◽  
Kolawole Okuyemi ◽  
Amanda L Graham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Text Messaging ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Smoking Behavior ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Smoking Reduction ◽  
Muslim Men ◽  
Quitting Smoking ◽  
Text Message Intervention ◽  
Text Messaging Intervention

Abstract Introduction The prevalence of smoking among Somali Muslim male immigrants residing in Minnesota is estimated at 44%, however smoking reduction is common during the month of Ramadan. This study evaluated the feasibility and impact of a religiously-tailored text message intervention delivered during Ramadan to encourage smoking reduction among Somali Muslim men who smoke. Methods 50 Somali men were recruited. Participants received two text messages per day starting one week prior to and throughout the month of Ramadan. Approximately half were religiously-tailored and half were about the risks of smoking and benefits of quitting. Smoking behavior was assessed at baseline, and at weeks 4 (end of Ramadan), 8, and 16. Outcomes included feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of the text message intervention on smoking reduction and bio-verified abstinence. Results The average age was 41 years. Average time to first cigarette was 1.8 hours at baseline, and 46% of participants smoked menthol cigarettes. Eighteen of 50 participants selected English and 32 selected Somali text messages. Subjects significantly reduced self-reported cigarettes per day (CPD) from 12.4 CPD at baseline to 5.8 CPD at Week 16 (p&lt;0.001). Seven subjects reported quitting at week 16, five completed CO testing, confirming self-reported abstinence. The majority of participants found the cultural and religious references encouraging at the end of the week 16 survey. Conclusions Religiously-tailored text messages to decrease smoking are feasible and acceptable to Somali Muslim men who smoke during Ramadan. This intervention for addressing smoking disparities is worthy of further study. Implications Recruitment of Somali Muslim men who smoke is feasible and supports the idea that further studies targeting smoking during Ramadan are practical. Ramadan presents a window of opportunity upon which to build smoking cessation interventions for smokers who identify as Muslim. These preliminary findings suggest that text messaging is a feasible and acceptable intervention strategy, and that religious tailoring was well received. Such an approach may offer potential for addressing smoking disparities among Somali Muslim male smokers.

Do text messages about health and development in young children affect caregiver behaviour and child outcomes? A systematic review

2020 ◽  
pp. 001789692096599
Author(s):  
Brittany Paige Richardson ◽  
Jeannie van der Linde ◽  
Bhavani Pillay ◽  
De Wet Swanepoel
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Child Outcomes ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Health And Development ◽  
Development Outcomes ◽  
Text Message Intervention

Introduction: Inadequate caregiving conditions interfere with successful health and development outcomes. Access to appropriate information can result in improved health and development outcomes in children. Health promotion text messaging, a primary mHealth strategy, has been implemented in various countries to reach communities where the majority of the population may be living in poverty and lacks access to information and health services. This systematic review investigated what effect the provision of information regarding health and development in young children, using text messages, has on caregiver behaviour and child outcomes. Method: The review was conducted according to the PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) guidelines. Studies were retrieved from Scopus, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection and Cochrane library using primary search phrases. The search was not limited to a specific period. Thematic analysis was used to organise and synthesise the information extracted from selected studies into main and sub-themes. Results: In total, 19 studies were identified, including randomised controlled trials (RCTs) ( n = 13, 68.42%), observational studies ( n = 3, 15.79%) and non-RCTs ( n = 3, 15.79%). Message content included educational information regarding health and development (89.47%), reminders (36.84%) and caregiver support (52.63%). The majority of studies ( n = 17; 89.47%) found statistically significant positive effects of text message intervention on caregiver behaviour. Text messages also affected child outcomes, with 15.79% ( n = 3) of studies reporting a positive effect. Conclusion: Text messaging is an effective tool to influence caregiver behaviour and child outcomes in health. There is however limited evidence regarding text message intervention effectiveness on child development, both in quality and in quantity. More research, especially in low- and middle-income countries, is necessary.

scholarly journals Text message reminders as an adjunct to a substance use intervention for adolescents and young adults: Pilot feasibility and acceptability findings

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 205520762096505
Author(s):  
Frank J Schwebel ◽  
Mary E Larimer
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Message Content ◽  
Acceptable Method ◽  
Pilot Intervention

Objective Text messaging has been proposed as a method for increasing the reach of interventions for harmful alcohol and other drug use. This paper describes the design of an automated text messaging adjunct to a substance use intervention intended to support adolescents and young adults attempting to change their alcohol and other drug use behavior. Feasibility and acceptability testing was conducted as part of this pilot study. Method Five focus groups were conducted to refine text message content and finalize pilot intervention design. Automated, daily, substance use-related reminder text messages were sent to pilot intervention participants ( n = 39), who were recruited from outpatient treatment. Results Of those who were invited, 63% enrolled in the study and 89.7% remained enrolled in the study as measured by completing at least one assessment after baseline. Participants reported a positive experience with the messages, particularly supportive/empowering messages and commitment reminder messages. Conclusions These findings suggest that text messaging is a feasible and acceptable method for delivery of substance use-related reminder content as an adjunct to substance use intervention.

Implementation of a text message intervention to promote behavioural change and weight loss among overweight and obese Brazilian primary care patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 476-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenn L Gusmão ◽  
Antonio L Ribeiro ◽  
Maíra Viana Rego Souza-Silva ◽  
Paulo R Gomes ◽  
Alline M Beleigoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Message Delivery ◽  
Belo Horizonte ◽  
Text Message Intervention

Introduction Mobile-technology-based interventions are promising strategies for promoting behavioural change in obese patients. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a text message intervention, and to assess the effects of the intervention on body mass index (BMI) and self-reported behavioural change. Methods TELEFIT was a three-phase feasibility study comprising the following stages: (a) the development of text messages; (b) testing; and (c) a quasi-experimental pilot study in which patients who were engaged in obesity/overweight educational groups in public primary care centres in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, were recruited. A bank of text messages was drafted and reviewed by an expert panel, text message delivery software was developed and tested, and a pilot study assessed patients before and after receiving the intervention using validated questionnaires and body measures. The data were analysed using the Wilcoxon test. Results A total of 46 patients completed the follow-up; 93.5% were women and the median age was 42 years (interquartile range (IQR) 34–52 years). At four months, participants had a significant reduction in BMI (median 31.3 (IQR 28.2–34.6) vs. 29.9 (IQR 27.2–34.6) kg/m2, p < 0.001), systolic (median 125 (IQR 120–132) vs. 120 (IQR 110–130) mmHg, p = 0.013) and diastolic blood pressure (median 80 (IQR 70–100) vs. 80 (IQR 70–80) mmHg, p = 0.006), when compared to baseline. All patients reported to be satisfied and willing to continue receiving the intervention, and 93.3% felt that the intervention helped them change their behaviours. Discussion This study has shown that a text message intervention to promote behavioural change and weight loss was feasible and effective in a short-term period. Participants were satisfied and willing to continue receiving the SMS messages.

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