scholarly journals Designing for Multilevel Behavior Change: A Father-Focused Nutrition and Physical Activity Program for Mexican-Heritage Families in South Texas Border Communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10117
Author(s):  
Cassandra M. Johnson ◽  
Joseph R. Sharkey ◽  
M. Renée Umstattd Meyer ◽  
Luis Gómez ◽  
Marlyn A. Allicock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Family Systems ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Latino Families ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mexican Heritage ◽  
Border Communities ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity

Fathers significantly influence family functioning, as coparents and partners, and must be part of family-based approaches to behavioral health interventions or programs. But little is known regarding how to support Latino fathers in health promotion within their family systems, specifically for Latino families living in border communities. Program development was embedded in a larger community-based grant and part of a longstanding academic-community collaboration. An interdisciplinary research team applied theories related to health behavior, family systems, behavior change, and community engagement to develop a father-focused and family-centered behavioral program for Mexican-heritage fathers and children living near the Texas-Mexico border to support changes in nutrition and physical activity at the individual and family levels. Promotoras de salud (trained community health workers) delivered the program through group sessions, check-in calls, and at-home activities. Group session activities were designed to engage family triads and dyads using experiential education related to nutrition and physical activity, like cooking lessons and active play, over a six-week period. Future research can use the program approach and curricula as a roadmap for designing context-specific and culturally-relevant programs for Latino families. Additional research is needed to explore how approaches like this can support families and their health goals.

scholarly journals Baby Steps: Using Intervention Mapping to Develop a Sustainable Perinatal Physical Activity Healthcare Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5869
Author(s):  
Anna M. Dieberger ◽  
Mireille N. M. van Poppel ◽  
Estelle D. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Intervention Mapping ◽  
Healthcare Intervention ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Practical Applications

While the benefits of physical activity (PA) during and after pregnancy have been established, many women do not reach the recommended PA levels during this time. A major barrier found in the literature is a lack of counselling by healthcare providers (HCPs), which is partly caused by the limited knowledge on the topic. The aim of this study was to develop an intervention to improve the promotion of PA by HCPs. We used Intervention Mapping (IM), a theory-based framework to develop an intervention, called “Baby steps”, in a high-income (Austria) and a low-to-middle-income country (South Africa). We applied the following IM steps: (1) A needs assessment to determine the barriers and enablers of PA promotion by HCPs, including a scoping literature review and community needs assessments (qualitative interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups with midwives, obstetricians, and community health workers) to determine the desired outcomes of the intervention. (2) Performance and change objectives were formulated, describing the behaviors that need to change for the intervention to succeed. (3) Based on these objectives, theory-based behavior change techniques were selected, and practical applications were developed. (4) The applications were combined into two evidence-based interventions tailored to each country’s needs. Step (5) and (6) consist of an implementation and evaluation plan, respectively. The intervention is aimed at HCPs, such as midwives and community health workers, consisting of a two-day training course, including practical resources. Combining didactic and interactive education, it addresses both PA knowledge and the skills needed to transfer knowledge and facilitate behavior change. In the future, the intervention’s effect on women’s activity levels during and after pregnancy needs to be studied.

scholarly journals Social Comparison Features in Physical Activity Promotion Apps: Scoping Meta-Review (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Arigo ◽  
Megan M Brown ◽  
Kristen Pasko ◽  
Jerry Suls
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Social Comparison ◽  
Behavioral Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Smartphone Apps ◽  
Comparison Theory ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Meta Review ◽  
Definition Of

BACKGROUND Smartphone apps promoting physical activity (PA) are abundant, but few produce substantial and sustained behavior change. Although many PA apps purport to induce users to compare themselves with others (by invoking social comparison processes), improvements in PA and other health behaviors are inconsistent. Existing literature suggests that social comparison may motivate PA for some people under some circumstances. However, 2 aspects of work that apply social comparison theory to PA apps remain unclear: (1) how comparison processes have been operationalized or harnessed in existing PA apps and (2) whether incorporating sources of variability in response to comparison have been used to tailor comparison features of apps, which could improve their effectiveness for promoting PA. OBJECTIVE The aim of this meta-review was to summarize existing systematic, quantitative, and narrative reviews of behavior change techniques in PA apps, with an emphasis on social comparison features, to examine how social comparison is operationalized and implemented. METHODS We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO for reviews of PA smartphone apps. Of the 3743 initial articles returned, 26 reviews met the inclusion criteria. Two independent raters extracted the data from these reviews, including the definition of social comparison used to categorize app features, the percentage of apps categorized as inducing comparison, specific features intended to induce comparison, and any mention of tailoring comparison features. For reference, these data were also extracted for related processes (such as behavioral modeling, norm referencing, and social networking). RESULTS Of the included review articles, 31% (8/26) categorized app features as prompting social comparison. The majority of these employed Abraham and Michie’s earliest definition of comparison, which differs from versions in later iterations of the same taxonomy. Very few reviews specified what dimension users were expected to compare (eg, steps, physical fitness) or which features of the apps were used to induce comparison (eg, leaderboards, message boards). No review referenced tailoring of comparison features. In contrast, 54% (14/26) reviews categorized features for prompting behavioral modeling and 31% (8/26) referenced tailoring app features for users’ personal goals or preferences. CONCLUSIONS The heterogeneity across reviews of PA apps and the absence of relevant information (eg, about dimensions or features relevant for comparison) create confusion about how to best harness social comparison to increase PA and its effectiveness in future research. No evidence was found that important findings from the broader social comparison literature (eg, that people have differing preferences for and responses to social comparison information) have been incorporated in the design of existing PA apps. Greater integration of the mobile health (mHealth) and social comparison literatures may improve the effectiveness of PA apps, thereby increasing the public health impact of these mHealth tools. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-https://osf.io/nh4td/

scholarly journals Promotion of physical activity and exercise in multiple sclerosis: Importance of behavioral science and theory

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 205521731878674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W Motl ◽  
Dorothy Pekmezi ◽  
Brooks C Wingo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Behavioral Science ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Test Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Activity Promotion

There is an obvious disconnect between evidence of benefits and rates of participation in exercise and physical activity among people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). We propose that the problem with exercise behavior in MS (i.e. lack of broad or increasing participation by people with MS despite evidence of meaningful benefits) might be ameliorated through the inclusion of behavior change theory in the design of exercise programs and promotion efforts, as has been undertaken in other populations such as breast cancer survivors. This paper reviews Social Cognitive Theory as an example approach for informing interventions for increasing exercise and physical activity behavior outside of MS and provides an overview of current knowledge regarding the application of this theory for physical activity in MS. We then outline future research necessary for informing trials that design, implement, and test theory-based interventions for physical activity promotion in MS. If theories of behavior change are adopted for informing exercise and physical activity research in MS, we can take a major step forward in addressing the problem of exercise and physical activity participation that has plagued the field for more than 25 years.

Implementing a Nutrition and Physical Activity Curriculum in Head Start Through an Academic-Community Partnership

2017 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
pp. 465-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whitney E. Zahnd ◽  
Tracey Smith ◽  
Susan J. Ryherd ◽  
Melissa Cleer ◽  
Valerie Rogers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Head Start ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Community Partnership ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity

A systematic review of eHealth physical activity interventions for adults affected by cancer: current evidence and directions for future research (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Ester ◽  
Maximilian Eisele ◽  
Amanda Wurz ◽  
Meghan H. McDonough ◽  
Margaret McNeely ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Action Planning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Health Technologies

BACKGROUND Physical activity (PA) interventions can increase PA and improve well-being among adults affected by cancer, yet most do not meet cancer-specific PA recommendations. Lack of time, limited access to facilities, and travel distances are barriers to participating in PA interventions. Electronic health technologies (eHealth) may address some of these barriers and serve as a viable way to promote PA behavior change in this population. Nevertheless, no review has synthesized available evidence across eHealth and cancer types from July 2018 onward, nor examined the use of behavioral theory and behavior change techniques (BCTs) leaving important gaps in knowledge. OBJECTIVE To provide a comprehensive, updated overview of evidence on eHealth PA interventions for adults with cancer by (1) describing the current state of the literature, (2) exploring associations between intervention characteristics and effectiveness, (3) assessing the bias and completeness of evidence, and (4) identifying future research needs. METHODS Medline, Embase, CINAHL, SportDiscus, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for articles describing eHealth PA interventions for adults affected by cancer. Study selection and data extraction was performed in duplicate with consultation from the senior author. BCT coding, risk of bias, and completeness of reporting were performed using standardized tools. Results were summarized via narrative synthesis and harvest plots. Weight analyses were conducted to explore associations between intervention characteristics and effectiveness. RESULTS Seventy-one articles (67 studies) involving 6655 participants (Mage=56.7±8.2 years) were included. Nearly 50% of included articles were published after July 2018. Significant post-intervention increases in PA levels were noted in 52% of studies and PA maintenance noted in 5 of the 12 studies that included a follow-up. Study duration, primary objectives, and eHealth modality (e.g. websites, activity trackers, text messaging) varied widely. Social cognitive theory (34%) was the most commonly used theory. The mean number of BCTs used across studies was 13.5±5.5 with self-monitoring, credible source, and goal-setting being used in over 90% of studies. Weight analyses showed greatest associations between increased PA levels and PA as a primary outcome (0.621), interventions using websites (0.656) or mobile apps (0.563), interventions integrating multiple behavioral theories (0.750), and interventions using BCTs of problem solving (0.657) and action planning (0.645). All studies had concerns with high risk of bias, mostly due to risk of confounding and measurement bias, and incomplete reporting. CONCLUSIONS A range of eHealth PA interventions may increase PA levels among adults affected by cancer and specific intervention components (e.g. websites, use of theory, action planning) may be linked to greater effectiveness. However, more work is needed to ascertain and optimize effectiveness, measure long-term effects, and address concerns with bias and incomplete reporting. This evidence is required to support arguments for integrating eHealth within PA promotion in oncology. CLINICALTRIAL PROSPERO: CRD42020162181.

scholarly journals Examining the Obesogenic Attributes of the Family Child Care Home Environment: A Literature Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucine Francis ◽  
Lara Shodeinde ◽  
Maureen M. Black ◽  
Jerilyn Allen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Child Care ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Family Child Care ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Home Setting ◽  
Full Text Review ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity

Childhood obesity is a major public health concern in the US. More than a third of young children 2–5 years old are placed in nonrelative child care for the majority of the day, making the child care setting an important venue to spearhead obesity prevention. Much of the obesity research in child care has focused on center-based facilities, with emerging research on Family Child Care Homes (FCCHs)—child care operated in a home setting outside the child’s home. The purpose of this review was to assess the obesogenic attributes of the FCCH environment. A search of the PubMed, Embase, CINHAL, and PsycINFO electronic databases identified 3,281 citations; 35 eligible for full-text review, and 18 articles from 17 studies in the analysis. This review found a lack of comprehensive written nutrition and physical activity policies within FCCHs, lack of FCCH providers trained in nutrition and physical activity best practices, lack of adequate equipment and space for indoor and outdoor playtime activities in FCCHs, inaccurate nutrition-related beliefs and perceptions among FCCH providers, poor nutrition-related communication with families, and poor feeding practices. Future research focusing on interventions aimed at addressing these problem areas can contribute to obesity prevention.

scholarly journals Social Comparison Features in Physical Activity Promotion Apps: Scoping Meta-Review

10.2196/15642 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. e15642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Arigo ◽  
Megan M Brown ◽  
Kristen Pasko ◽  
Jerry Suls
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Social Comparison ◽  
Behavioral Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Smartphone Apps ◽  
Comparison Theory ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Meta Review ◽  
Definition Of

Background Smartphone apps promoting physical activity (PA) are abundant, but few produce substantial and sustained behavior change. Although many PA apps purport to induce users to compare themselves with others (by invoking social comparison processes), improvements in PA and other health behaviors are inconsistent. Existing literature suggests that social comparison may motivate PA for some people under some circumstances. However, 2 aspects of work that apply social comparison theory to PA apps remain unclear: (1) how comparison processes have been operationalized or harnessed in existing PA apps and (2) whether incorporating sources of variability in response to comparison have been used to tailor comparison features of apps, which could improve their effectiveness for promoting PA. Objective The aim of this meta-review was to summarize existing systematic, quantitative, and narrative reviews of behavior change techniques in PA apps, with an emphasis on social comparison features, to examine how social comparison is operationalized and implemented. Methods We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO for reviews of PA smartphone apps. Of the 3743 initial articles returned, 26 reviews met the inclusion criteria. Two independent raters extracted the data from these reviews, including the definition of social comparison used to categorize app features, the percentage of apps categorized as inducing comparison, specific features intended to induce comparison, and any mention of tailoring comparison features. For reference, these data were also extracted for related processes (such as behavioral modeling, norm referencing, and social networking). Results Of the included review articles, 31% (8/26) categorized app features as prompting social comparison. The majority of these employed Abraham and Michie’s earliest definition of comparison, which differs from versions in later iterations of the same taxonomy. Very few reviews specified what dimension users were expected to compare (eg, steps, physical fitness) or which features of the apps were used to induce comparison (eg, leaderboards, message boards). No review referenced tailoring of comparison features. In contrast, 54% (14/26) reviews categorized features for prompting behavioral modeling and 31% (8/26) referenced tailoring app features for users’ personal goals or preferences. Conclusions The heterogeneity across reviews of PA apps and the absence of relevant information (eg, about dimensions or features relevant for comparison) create confusion about how to best harness social comparison to increase PA and its effectiveness in future research. No evidence was found that important findings from the broader social comparison literature (eg, that people have differing preferences for and responses to social comparison information) have been incorporated in the design of existing PA apps. Greater integration of the mobile health (mHealth) and social comparison literatures may improve the effectiveness of PA apps, thereby increasing the public health impact of these mHealth tools. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-https://osf.io/nh4td/

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