Use of Wearable Technology and Social Media to Improve Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors among College Students: A 12-Week Randomized Pilot Study

Abstract

College students demonstrate poor physical activity (PA) and dietary behaviors. We evaluated the feasibility of a combined smartwatch and theoretically based, social media-delivered health education intervention versus a comparison on improving college students’ health behaviors/outcomes. Thirty-eight students (28 female; Xage = 21.5 ± 3.4 years) participated in this two-arm, randomized 12-week pilot trial (2017–2018). Participants were randomized into: (a) experimental: Polar M400 use and twice-weekly social cognitive theory- and self-determination theory-based Facebook-delivered health education intervention; or (b) comparison: enrollment only in separate, but content-identical, Facebook intervention. Primary outcomes pertained to intervention feasibility. Secondary outcomes included accelerometer-estimated PA, physiological/psychosocial outcomes, and dietary behaviors. Intervention adherence was high (~86%), with a retention of 92.1%. Participants implemented health education tips 1–3 times per week. We observed experimental and comparison groups to have 4.2- and 1.6-min/day increases in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), respectively, at six weeks—partially maintained at 12 weeks. In both groups, similarly decreased body weight (experimental = −0.6 kg; comparison = −0.5 kg) and increased self-efficacy, social support, and intrinsic motivation were observed pre- and post-intervention. Finally, we observed small decreases in daily caloric consumption over time (experimental = −41.0 calories; comparison = −143.3). Both interventions were feasible/of interest to college students and demonstrated initial effectiveness at improving health behaviors/outcomes. However, smartwatch provision may not result in an additional benefit.

Do smartphone applications and activity trackers increase physical activity in adults? Systematic review, meta-analysis and metaregression

“…The final number of included studies was 28. Of these, one was a doctoral thesis 40 and another was a working paper 57 ; the remaining were published articles.…”

“…Studies were grouped according to whether or not the control group involved a smartphone app or tracker enabling automatic self-monitoring and feedback: true control (12 studies) [38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] 64 65 There were only five studies where the only different components between intervention and control were the tracker or the smartphone app for selfmonitoring and feedback on physical activity. 40 41 43 58 59 Behaviour change theories were mentioned in 19 studies, 38 40-42 44-48 50-52 54-58 62 63 the most common being social cognitive theory 40-42 46 52 55 58 (online supplemental eTable 11).…”

The effect of social media interventions on physical activity and dietary behaviours in young people and adults: a systematic review

“…Most of the papers were published between 2017 and 2020 (13 of 16) [ 26 – 35 , 37 , 40 , 41 ], and included the following social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Twitter, and WeChat. Most data were collected within the USA (9 studies) [ 28 – 30 , 33 – 37 , 39 ], and 11 out of 18 studies targeted young adults aged between 18 and 35 years old [ 26 , 28 , 29 , 33 , 36 – 40 ] and eight included college/university students [ 28 , 33 , 36 – 40 ]. Five of the 18 studies targeted specific populations including primigravid women [ 34 ], adults at risk of colorectal cancer [ 30 ], nurses [ 32 ], and overweight or obese individuals [ 27 , 35 ].…”

“…Control Group : continued normal routine and started program after a 3 month delay. Duration: 3 months Statistically significant differences for the social media intervention: MVPA ( p < 0.05, d = 0.58), daily vegetable servings ( p < 0.05, d = 0.62), percentage energy from ED- NP* foods ( p < 0.01, d = 0.73), weight loss ( p < 0.05, d = 0.63), percentage weight loss ( p < 0.05, d = 0.67), waist circumference ( p < 0.001, d = 0.89), BMI* ( p < 0.01, d = 0.81), body fat mass ( p < 0.05, d = 0.67), plasma total cholesterol ( p < 0.05, d = 0.60), LDL* cholesterol ( p < 0.01, d = 0.83) and ratio of total cholesterol-to-HDL* cholesterol ( p < 0.05, d = 0.60) Jane et al (2017) [ 28 ] Australia N = 67 (85% Female; 15% Male) Mean Age (SD): Control Group = 50.2 (2.4); Pamphlet Group = 54.1 (2.3); Facebook Group = 47.0 (2.3) Ethnicity = Not reported Target group = Individuals with a BMI between 25 and 40 kg/m 2 (overweight or obese) RCT Weight (digital scales), height (stadiometer), lean mass and fat mass (bioelectrical impedance), waist and hip circumference, blood pressure (sphygmomanometer), fasting blood glucose (glucometer), blood lipids insulin (blood test) all measured at clinical appointments at 6, 12, 18 and 24 weeks. Dietary intake, physical activity and step count (from self-reported three-day food, physical activity and step count records) Medium: Facebook Type of Social Media: Information and Interaction - Instructions for specified diet (Total Wellbeing Diet) shared, access to weight management program and interaction with other members via Facebook.…”

Emerging Technology in Promoting Physical Activity and Health: Challenges and Opportunities

“…As stated a number of times within this editorial, however, technology is like a double-edged sword when viewed through the lens of PA and health promotion. In fact, these emerging technologies have entered into homes, schools, communities, and other avenues, and have been very popular among various populations [23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31]. For example, nowadays, smartphones not only allow us to regularly communicate with others through phone calls and text messages but also let us monitor our health status and monitor PA behaviors via multiple health-oriented apps [32].…”