One third of college students do not achieve aerobic activity levels recommended for physical and mental health. The web-based "I Can Be Active!" intervention was designed to help college students increase their physical activity. The intervention was grounded in the Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) framework which emphasizes translating intention into sustainable action.
In the United States, the vast majority of Hispanic high school students do not meet physical activity recommendations. This prospective, observational study tested the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to predict physical activity in a convenience sample of 232 high school students from a predominantly Hispanic, rural-fringe, lower-income community in Southwestern United States. Mindfulness was tested as a moderator of the intention–physical activity relationship. Data were collected via self-report questionnaires. Statistical analysis included structural equation modeling (SEM) and moderation analysis. The model explained 60% and 43% of the variance in intention and physical activity, respectively. Attitude (β = 0.49, p < 0.001) and subjective norm (β = 0.44, p < 0.001) predicted intention. Intention (β = 0.58, p < 0.001) and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.13, p < 0.027) predicted physical activity. Mindfulness did not moderate the intention–physical activity relationship. The results support using the TPB to predict physical activity in this population and may inspire ideas for targeted interventions.
Young adults are often overlooked as a healthy age group; however, physical activity decreases substantially during this life stage. The development of effective, scalable physical activity interventions is critical to promoting health and well-being in this population. PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week web-based physical activity intervention for young adult college students who are insufficiently active. METHODS: This study was conducted using a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design during the Spring of 2021. The sample included 21 insufficiently active college students, ages 18 - 24, from a large, urban Midwestern U.S. university. The 8-week web-based intervention was grounded in the Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) framework and included weekly lessons, manual entry goal and step trackers, a resources library, and a private social media group led by a wellness coach. Data were collected via pre-post web-based questionnaires, web-analytics, and post-intervention interviews. Feasibility outcomes included demand, acceptability, practicality, and implementation. Preliminary efficacy outcomes included physical activity and M-PAC processes. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t-tests, Wilcoxon signed rank tests, Hedge's g, and qualitative thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants reacted positively to the program, content, and features, except for the step-tracker and private social media group. Among participants who completed the post-test (n = 14), 92.9% increased their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, resulting in a statistically significant increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (Mpre = 54.82[87.55], Mpost = 192.32[148.45], t13 = 3.584, p = .003, g = 0.930 [0.299, 1.538]). Substantial pre-post trends were present in three M-PAC processes: 93.3% of participants increased their behavioral regulation (z = -3.30, p = .001), 73.3% increased their physical activity habit (z = -2.50, p = .012), and 73.3% increased their physical activity identity (z = -2.18, p = .029). CONCLUSION: The findings supported the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the intervention for insufficiently active young adult college students. Supported by the Sigma Foundation for Nursing - 2019 Sigma Small Grant
BACKGROUND Recent technological advances allow for the repeated sampling of real-time data in natural settings using electronic ecological momentary assessment (eEMA). These advances are particularly meaningful for investigating physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in young adults who are in a critical life stage for the development of healthy lifestyle behaviors. OBJECTIVE This study aims to describe the use of eEMA methodologies in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep research in young adults. METHODS The PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, and Web of Science electronic databases were searched through August 2022. Inclusion criteria were use of eEMA; sample of young adults aged 18 to 25 years; at least 1 measurement of physical activity, sedentary behavior, or sleep; English language; and a peer-reviewed report of original research. Study reports were excluded if they were abstracts, protocols, or reviews. The risk of bias assessment was conducted using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessments were conducted by independent authors, with discrepancies resolved by consensus. Descriptive statistics and narrative synthesis were used to identify overarching patterns within the following categories guided by the Checklist for Reporting Ecological Momentary Assessments Studies: study characteristics, outcomes and measures, eEMA procedures, and compliance. RESULTS The search resulted in 1221 citations with a final sample of 37 reports describing 35 unique studies. Most reports (28/37, 76%) were published in the last 5 years (2017-2022), used observational designs (35/37, 95%), consisted of samples of college students or apprentices (28/35, 80%), and were conducted in the United States (22/37, 60%). The sample sizes ranged from 14 to 1584 young adults. Physical activity was measured more frequently (28/37, 76%) than sleep (16/37, 43%) or sedentary behavior (4/37, 11%). Of the 37 studies, 11 (30%) reports included 2 movement behaviors and no reports included 3 movement behaviors. eEMA was frequently used to measure potential correlates of movement behaviors, such as emotional states or feelings (25/37, 68%), cognitive processes (7/37, 19%), and contextual factors (9/37, 24%). There was wide variability in the implementation and reporting of eEMA procedures, measures, missing data, analysis, and compliance. CONCLUSIONS The use of eEMA methodologies in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep research in young adults has greatly increased in recent years; however, reports continue to lack standardized reporting of features unique to the eEMA methodology. Additional areas in need of future research include the use of eEMA with more diverse populations and the incorporation of all 3 movement behaviors within a 24-hour period. The findings are intended to assist investigators in the design, implementation, and reporting of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep research using eEMA in young adults. CLINICALTRIAL PROSPERO CRD42021279156; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021279156
Abstract Background Understanding the predictors of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during early postpartum is important to improve promotion efforts. Affect-related constructs are key predictors of MVPA but have limited research in mothers during the postpartum period. Purpose To examine two affect-related constructs (affective response to exercise and affective judgments) as predictors of MVPA intention and behavior across three months, among a sample of new mothers. Methods Participants were 105 mothers (M age = 30.64 years; SD = 3.93) who completed measures during postpartum at 2-months post-birth of their first child. The affective response to exercise (assessed at baseline [2-months postpartum] during a submaximal treadmill test), affective judgments and intention (baseline, 6-weeks after baseline), and MVPA (baseline, 6- and 12-weeks after baseline) were assessed via self-report. Results Path analysis, using ordinary least squares regression, showed that the affective response during exercise was a significant predictor of intention (baseline, 6-weeks), as well as change in intention from baseline to 6-weeks. By contrast, affective judgments predicted intention at 6-weeks, but not at baseline or in the change model. Past MVPA did not moderate these findings, although the affective response during exercise also had a significant indirect effect on MVPA through intention at 6-weeks and 12-weeks. Conclusions Interventions targeting women’s affective response during exercise may be important during postpartum, perhaps through self-paced physical activity guidance. Affective judgments may not be predictive of MVPA, in part due to unanticipated changes during early postpartum leading to inaccurate expectations of the physical activity experience.
User-centered developmental processes are critical to ensuring acceptability of e-health behavioral interventions, and yet physical activity research continues to be inundated with top-down developmental approaches. The IDEAS (Integrate, Design, Assess, and Share) framework outlines a user-centered process for development of e-health interventions. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the application of the IDEAS framework in adapting a web-based physical activity intervention for young adult college students. Steps 1-3 emphasized integrating insights from users and theory and Steps 4-7 focused on iterative and rapid design with user feedback. Data were collected via repeat qualitative interviews with young adult college students (N = 7). Resulting qualitative metathemes were engagement, accountability, and cultural fit. Therefore, intervention modifications focused on strategies to foster ongoing engagement with the program (e.g., increase interactivity), support personal and social accountability (e.g., private social media group), and provide a cultural fit within the college lifestyle (e.g., images relevant to student life). The resulting web-based intervention included eight weekly lessons, an expanded resource library, "how-to" videos, step and goal trackers, and a private social media group to be led by a wellness coach. In conclusion, the IDEAS framework guided an efficient, user-centered adaptation process that integrated empirical evidence and behavior change theory with user preferences and feedback. Furthermore, the process allowed us to address barriers to acceptability during the design and build stages rather than at later stages of pilot and efficacy testing.
Background and Objectives: Community-based organizations, such as Food Literacy Project, Inc. (FLP), focused on cultivating food justice through increasing access to healthy foods in under-resourced areas are uniquely positioned to positively affect the nutrition landscape. This article reports on an evaluation of FLP’s efforts in implementing food justice programming. Methods: A single, longitudinal case study evaluation framed within the socioecological model included the collection of survey, interview and focus group, on-site observational and field notes data at multiple points throughout the evaluation period of July 2019 through August 2020. Results: Research findings lauded FLP’s initiatives providing food access, creating youth advocacy programming, and fostering community connections. However, critical need existed to implement initiatives by individuals who reflected the communities in which they served on land that was fully secured for tenure and ownership. Conclusions: The results from this evaluation suggest a call to action for non-profit organizations to build and maintain trust in under-resourced communities. When applying for grants, partnering with academic institutions and implementing programming, the site team members, as well as evaluation team members, should be intentional to identify ( e.g., race, gender, residence, socioeconomic status, education level) with the community in which the initiatives aim to serve.
Purpose: To determine associations between physical activity (PA) and sport participation on HbA1c levels in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Method: Pediatric patients with T1D were invited to complete a PA and sport participation survey. Data were linked to their medical records for demographic characteristics, diabetes treatment and monitoring plans, and HbA1c levels. Results: Participants consisted of 71 females and 81 males, were 13 ± 3 years old with an average HbA1c level of 8.75 ± 1.81. Children accumulating 60 min of activity 3 days or more a week had significantly lower HbA1c compared to those who accumulated less than 3 days (p < 0.01) of 60 min of activity. However, there was no significant difference in HbA1c values based on sport participation groups. A multiple linear regression model indicated that PA, race, age, duration of diagnosis, and CGM use all significantly predicted HbA1c (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the significant relationship between daily PA and HbA1c. Those in this sample presented with lower HbA1c values even if accumulating less than the recommended number of days of activity. Further, it was shown that sport participation alone may not be adequate enough to impact HbA1c in a similar manner.
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