A comparison of a social support physical activity intervention in weight management among post-partum Latinas

Objective Family responsibilities and poor social support are barriers to physical activity among Latinas. This study evaluated the effects of a home- and print-based intervention on social support, moderating effects of familial ties on support and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and mediating effects of support on MVPA. Methods Participants were randomized to receive through the mail either individually tailored physical activity intervention or general wellness print materials. Familial ties and social support were assessed by marital and child status and the social support for physical activity measure, respectively. MVPA was measured using the 7-day Physical Activity Recall Interview and accelerometer. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 months post-treatment, and 12 months follow-up. Results Participants (n=266; 40.6 ± 9.9 years old) were mostly immigrant and Spanish-speaking Latinas. The intervention group achieved greater increases in family and friend support compared to the wellness control group from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up (p<0.05). Intervention changes in support did not depend on marital or child status. The intervention also increased minutes per week of MVPA more than the wellness control (p<0.05) and the effect did not depend on marital or child status. There were significant indirect effects of treatment, indicating the intervention achieved greater increases in MVPA by increasing family (ab=5.21, SE=2.94, 95% CI=0.91-14.11) and friend (ab=6.83, SE=5.15, 95% CI=0.16-20.56) support. Conclusions The intervention improved and sustained support from family and friends and MVPA irrespective of familial ties. Social support mediated increases in MVPA.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social support and physical activity change in Latinas: Results from the Seamos Saludables trial.

Marquez¹,

Dunsiger

Pekmezi

et al. 2016

Health Psychology

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“…The increase in family support was also maintained from post-treatment to follow-up. Sustaining gains in social support at follow-up has been a challenge for physical activity interventions as scores tend to return to baseline levels (Castro et al, 1999; C. Keller et al, 2014). The positive results in the present study may be attributed to targeting social support using different strategies including individualized assessments and feedback on support, tip sheets and newsletters providing practical ideas on garnering support, and a goal setting session that addressed support status at the post-treatment visit.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moderating Effects of Health Literacy on Change in Physical Activity Among Latinas in a Randomized Trial

Dominick

Dunsiger

Pekmezi

et al. 2015

J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

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Objective Family responsibilities and poor social support are barriers to physical activity among Latinas. This study evaluated the effects of a home- and print-based intervention on social support, moderating effects of familial ties on support and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and mediating effects of support on MVPA. Methods Participants were randomized to receive through the mail either individually tailored physical activity intervention or general wellness print materials. Familial ties and social support were assessed by marital and child status and the social support for physical activity measure, respectively. MVPA was measured using the 7-day Physical Activity Recall Interview and accelerometer. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 months post-treatment, and 12 months follow-up. Results Participants (n=266; 40.6 ± 9.9 years old) were mostly immigrant and Spanish-speaking Latinas. The intervention group achieved greater increases in family and friend support compared to the wellness control group from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up (p<0.05). Intervention changes in support did not depend on marital or child status. The intervention also increased minutes per week of MVPA more than the wellness control (p<0.05) and the effect did not depend on marital or child status. There were significant indirect effects of treatment, indicating the intervention achieved greater increases in MVPA by increasing family (ab=5.21, SE=2.94, 95% CI=0.91–14.11) and friend (ab=6.83, SE=5.15, 95% CI=0.16–20.56) support. Conclusions The intervention improved and sustained support from family and friends and MVPA irrespective of familial ties. Social support mediated increases in MVPA.

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“…When asked about ways to improve engagement in the Facebook group, women in all three pilots suggested increased opportunities for in-person meetings or participation. However, previous research among low-income, postpartum women has consistently demonstrated poor engagement in weight loss intervention sessions [18,19,48], and when provided the opportunities to meet in person, women in Pilot 2 and Pilot 3 did not participate. Furthermore, engagement data across time did not differ across the studies, suggesting that our changes to the intervention posts did little to improve engagement from Pilot 1 to Pilot 2 to Pilot 3.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adapting a Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention for Delivery via Facebook: A Pilot Series Among Low-Income Postpartum Women (Preprint)

Silfee¹,

Lόpez-Cepero²,

Lemon³

et al. 2017

Preprint

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Background: Efforts to translate evidence-based weight loss interventions, such as the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), to low-income, postpartum women are limited by poor intervention attendance and high attrition rates. Strategies that improve engagement and retention in this population are needed to maximize the reach of evidence-based weight loss interventions. Purpose: To adapt a DPP-based weight loss intervention (Fresh Start) for Facebook delivery and to evaluate its feasibility among low-income postpartum women. Methods: This study comprised of three single group pilot studies where feasibility outcomes iteratively informed changes from one pilot to the next. We paralleled the in-person program to Facebook delivery by translating the protocol to a content library to be delivered in a Facebook feed with additional input from lifestyle coaches. Low-income postpartum women were recruited from Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics in Worcester, MA. Participants were enrolled into a 16-week weight loss intervention delivered via Facebook. During the first eight weeks, Facebook intervention posts were delivered two times per day with additional posts from coaches. For the following 8 weeks, posts were delivered once per day without additional coaching. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and 16-week follow-up and included changes in weight as well as feasibility outcomes including retention, engagement (defined by likes, comments, and posts), and acceptability. Results: Pilot 1 (n = 27) had a retention rate of 89% and 62% engaged in the group during the 8-week coached phase. Mean weight loss was 2.6 pounds (SD = 8.64) and 75% reported being satisfied with the program. Pilot 2 (n = 24) had a retention rate of 83% and 55.2% engaged in the group during the 8-week coached phase. Mean weight loss was 2.5 pounds (SD = 9.23) and 80% were satisfied with the program. Pilot 3 (n = 16) had a retention rate of 88% and 67% engaged in the group during the 8-week coached phased. Mean weight loss was 7.0 pounds (SD = 11.6) and 64.3% were satisfied with the program. Conclusions: Findings demonstrated that a Facebook-delivered intervention was acceptable and could be feasibly delivered to the low-income, postpartum women. Future research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of a Facebook-delivered weight loss intervention.

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A comparison of a social support physical activity intervention in weight management among post-partum Latinas

Cited by 60 publications

References 79 publications

Social support and physical activity change in Latinas: Results from the Seamos Saludables trial.

Social support and physical activity change in Latinas: Results from the Seamos Saludables trial.

Moderating Effects of Health Literacy on Change in Physical Activity Among Latinas in a Randomized Trial

Adapting a Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention for Delivery via Facebook: A Pilot Series Among Low-Income Postpartum Women (Preprint)

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