Starting the Conversation- A Childhood Obesity Knowledge Project Using an App
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 7
Abstract
Purpose: Starting the Conversation was a pilot project to test an intervention for childhood obesity, a major public health epidemic, using a free smartphone application (app). The primary aim was to assess students’ knowledge of nutritional indicators, physical exercise and use of screen time before and after the intervention. Methods: The study was conducted in 2011-2012. The sample, recruited from seven high schools in Snohomish County, Washington, was 65.3% minority participants. Of the 118 participants in the sample (n=118), 79 handwrote their responses (n=78) and 36 responded via the app (n=39). We compared the frequency and types of physical exercise, frequency of screen time, and nutritional variables of high school students. Participants used the cell phone app or a handwritten log to record their daily entries for 20 days. Results: Both males (n=43) and females (n=75) grades 9-12 used the app or handwritten entries. Participants who used the app ate less fast food and exercised more, as compared with those who recorded their entries by hand. Screen time usage decreased over the course of the study, based on a comparison of the post-survey level and the pre-survey level. Knowledge of recommended daily consumption of vegetables increased post-test in the app group and knowledge of water consumption increased significantly in both groups. There was no significant difference in BMI pre and post-test. Conclusions: Patterns of nutritional intake, physical exercise and knowledge of these issues varied pre and post-test. It is critical to further examine factors associated with lack of physical activity and food intake patterns of youth using social media to further address the childhood obesity epidemic. Future research should focus on specific ethnic subgroups and an intervention at the school level aimed at the students with BMI ≥ 95th percentile.
Authors and Affiliations
Hoa B. Appel, Bu Huang, Allison Cole, Rosalina James, Amy L. Ai
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP348925
- DOI 10.9734/BJMMR/2014/5512
- Views 71
- Downloads 0
Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes and Leukocyte Alkaline Phosphatase Score in Patients with Acute and Chronic Disease: A Brief Review
Aims: To conduct a review of the literature concerning existing methods to detect alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in human serum and to examine the dietary factors that modulate ALP-intestinal isoenzyme (IAP) activity, in lig...
Correlation between Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Cup-to- Disc Ratio in Glaucoma Suspects Using Optical Coherence Tomography at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Aim: To determine the correlation between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and vertical cup disc ratio in glaucoma suspects in the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Study Design: H...
Genetic Polymorphisms of CYP2C8 in A Healthy Iranian Population
Aim: The aims of this study were to genotype CYP2C8 in an Iranian population and compare their allelic frequencies with other ethnic groups. Study Site and Duration: Biotechnology Department, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan U...
Survey of Medical Officers Attitudes and Knowledge of Eye Conditions in Older Patients
Aim: To assess medical officers’ attitude and knowledge of eye conditions in the elderly. Study Design: Convenient sampling technique. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Medical Centre, Bi...
Brachial Artery Flow Mediated Vasodilatation Changes in Endothelium Due to Hyperuricemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Aim: This study aims to evaluate serum uric acid levels and assess its effect on endothelial dysfunction by measuring flow mediated vasodilatation (FMD) of brachial artery in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Study Design: Obser...