Design, development, and formative evaluation of a smartphone application for recording and monitoring physical activity levels: the 10,000 Steps "iStepLog".

Objectives: Limited research exists addressing the development of health-related smartphone apps, a new and potentially effective health promotion delivery strategy. This article describes the development and formative evaluation of a smartphone app associated with a physical activity promotion website.

Methods: A combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques (performance measures, direct observation, and subjective participant preferences) were implemented during two usability testing sessions (pre- and postmodification) while participants were completing tasks using the app.

Improving diet, physical activity and other lifestyle behaviours using computer-tailored advice in general practice: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: The adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviours is essential in the primary prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a minimal intervention on multiple lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, smoking and alcohol, delivered through general practice, using computer-tailored feedback.

Methods: Adult patients visiting 21 general practitioners in Brisbane, Australia, were surveyed about ten health behaviours that are risk factors for chronic, non-communicable diseases.

Effectiveness of a website and mobile phone based physical activity and nutrition intervention for middle-aged males: trial protocol and baseline findings of the ManUp Study.

Background: Compared to females, males experience higher rates of chronic disease and mortality, yet few health promotion initiatives are specifically aimed at men. Therefore, the aim of the ManUp Study is to examine the effectiveness of an IT-based intervention to increase the physical activity and nutrition behaviour and literacy in middle-aged males (aged 35-54 years).

Method/design: The study design was a two-arm randomised controlled trial, having an IT-based (applying website and mobile phones) and a print-based intervention arm, to deliver intervention materials and to promote self-monitoring of physical activity and nutrition behaviours.

Associations of physical activity and screen-time on health related quality of life in adults.

Background: Associations between the combined effect of physical activity and screen based activities on health related quality of life remain largely undetermined.

Methods: During 2008-2010, cross-sectional data for self-reported health related quality of life, physical activity, and screen-time were collected for 3796 Australian adults. Logistic regression was conducted to examine associations for six combinations of physical activity (none, insufficient, and sufficient), and screen-time (low and high) on health related quality of life.

Meta-analysis of internet-delivered interventions to increase physical activity levels.

Many internet-delivered physical activity behaviour change programs have been developed and evaluated. However, further evidence is required to ascertain the overall effectiveness of such interventions. The objective of the present review was to evaluate the effectiveness of internet-delivered interventions to increase physical activity, whilst also examining the effect of intervention moderators.

Web-based, computer-tailored, pedometer-based physical activity advice: development, dissemination through general practice, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Computer tailoring is a relatively innovative and promising physical activity intervention approach. However, few computer-tailored physical activity interventions in adults have provided feedback based on pedometer use.

Objectives: To (1) describe the development of a Web-based, pedometer-based, computer-tailored step advice intervention, (2) report on the dissemination of this tool through general practice, (3) report on its perceived acceptability, and (4) evaluate the preliminary efficacy of this tool in comparison with a standard intervention.

Using smartphone technology to monitor physical activity in the 10,000 Steps program: a matched case-control trial.

Background: Website-delivered physical activity interventions are successful in producing short-term behavior change. However, problems with engagement and retention of participants in these programs prevent long-term behavior change. New ways of accessing online content (eg, via smartphones) may enhance engagement in these interventions, which in turn may improve the effectiveness of the programs.

What a man wants: understanding the challenges and motivations to physical activity participation and healthy eating in middle-aged Australian men.

Little attention has been paid to the physical activity (PA) and nutrition behaviors of middle-aged men; thus, the aim of this study was to gather information and gain insight into the PA and nutrition behaviors of these men. Six focus group sessions were undertaken with middle-aged men (N = 30) from regional Australia to explore the challenges and motivations to PA participation and healthy eating. Men had a good understanding of PA and nutrition; however, this was sometimes confounded by inconsistent media messages.

Design and baseline characteristics of the 10 Small Steps Study: a randomised controlled trial of an intervention to promote healthy behaviour using a lifestyle score and personalised feedback.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of death globally and are associated with a limited set of common, modifiable health behaviours: tobacco use, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diet. General practice offers an ideal avenue for addressing such health behaviours on a population-wide basis. This paper describes the protocol of a multiple health behaviour change intervention designed for implementation in general practice and summarises the baseline characteristics of its participants.

Do participants' preferences for mode of delivery (text, video, or both) influence the effectiveness of a Web-based physical activity intervention?

Background: In randomized controlled trials, participants cannot choose their preferred intervention delivery mode and thus might refuse to participate or not engage fully if assigned to a nonpreferred group. This might underestimate the true effectiveness of behavior-change interventions.

Objective: To examine whether receiving interventions either matched or mismatched with participants' preferred delivery mode would influence effectiveness of a Web-based physical activity intervention.

A review of the effectiveness of physical activity interventions for adult males.

Physical inactivity is one of the main modifiable risk factors for a range of noncommunicable diseases. Of particular interest are adult males, a hard-to-reach population group for health promotion interventions. The purpose of this review is to provide a critical evaluation of the published health-related physical activity interventions that have targeted adult males.

Prospective associations between intervention components and website engagement in a publicly available physical activity website: the case of 10,000 Steps Australia.

Background: Effectiveness of and engagement with website-delivered physical activity interventions is moderate at best. Increased exposure to Internet interventions is reported to increase their effectiveness; however, there is a lack of knowledge about which specific intervention elements are able to maintain website engagement.

Objective: To prospectively study the associations of website engagement and exposure to intervention components for a publicly available physical activity website (10,000 Steps Australia).

Qualitative and quantitative research into the development and feasibility of a video-tailored physical activity intervention.

Background: Continued low adherence to physical activity recommendations illustrates the need to refine intervention strategies and increase their effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to conduct formative research related to the development of a next generation of computer-tailored interventions that use online tailored video-messages to increase physical activity.

Methods: Five focus groups (n = 30), aimed at males and females, aged between 35 and 60 years, that do not meet the physical activity recommendation, were conducted to allow in-depth discussion of various elements related to the development of an online video-tailored intervention.

Identifying population subgroups at risk for underestimating weight health risks and overestimating physical activity health benefits.

People may incorrectly perceive that their body weight or Physical Activity (PA) meets health recommendations; this provides an obstacle for change. In this study self-reported BMI and PA were assessed in relation to questions regarding perception of meeting weight and PA recommendations. Signal detection analysis was used to identify population subgroups.

Physical activity trends in Queensland (2002 to 2008): are women becoming more active than men?

Objective: Regular monitoring of population levels of physical activity is an effective way to assess change over time towards meeting public health recommendations. The objective of this study was to determine physical activity trends in Central Queensland over the period 2002 to 2008.

Methods: Data was obtained from the Central Queensland Social Survey (CQSS) conducted annually from 2002 to 2008.

The development of an internet-based outpatient cardiac rehabilitation intervention: a Delphi study.

Background: Face-to-face outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (OCR) programs are an important and effective component in the management of cardiovascular disease. However, these programs have low participation rates, especially among patients who live rural or remote. Hence, there is a need to develop OCR programs that provide an alternative to face-to-face contact such as by using the Internet.

Associations of leisure-time internet and computer use with overweight and obesity, physical activity and sedentary behaviors: cross-sectional study.

Background: Internet and computer use are increasingly common leisure-time sedentary behaviors, which have the potential to impact negatively on health outcomes. However, little is known about the extent to which adults' Internet and computer use is associated with weight status and time spent in leisure-time physical activity.

Objective: The objective is to examine associations of leisure-time Internet and computer use with overweight and obesity, leisure-time physical activity, and other sedentary behaviors.

Recreational facilities and leisure-time physical activity: An analysis of moderators and self-efficacy as a mediator.

Objective: To examine socio-demographic and psychosocial moderators, and self-efficacy as a mediator of the cross-sectional relationships between having access to recreational facilities and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA); to investigate the extent to which the environment-LTPA associations could be explained by self-selection to neighborhoods.

Design: A two-stage stratified sampling design was used to recruit 2,650 adults (aged 20-65) from 32 urban communities varying in walkability and socioeconomic status. Participants reported perceived access to facilities and home equipment for LTPA, weekly minutes of LTPA, self-efficacy for and enjoyment of LTPA, reasons for neighborhood selection, and socio-demographic characteristics.

A computer-tailored dietary fat intake intervention for adolescents: results of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The positive effects of computer-tailored dietary fat intake interventions have been demonstrated in adults, but few studies have investigated the impact on adolescents.

Purpose: The purpose is to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of a computer-tailored dietary fat intake education program for adolescents.

Methods: A random sample of 10 schools, 5 with general and 5 with technical-vocational education programs, were selected to participate.

A randomized trial of sequential and simultaneous multiple behavior change interventions for physical activity and fat intake.

Background: Major questions remain unanswered about how best to accomplish multiple behavior change. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there are differences in successfully changing multiple behaviors in computer-tailored sequential and simultaneous interventions for physical activity (PA) promotion and fat intake (FI) reduction.

Methods: Participants (N=567) were randomly assigned to receive an intervention for PA and FI simultaneously; PA at baseline and FI at 3 months; or FI at baseline and PA at 3 months.

Website-delivered physical activity interventions a review of the literature.

Background: Evidence-based physical activity interventions that can be delivered to large numbers of adults at an acceptable cost are a public health priority; website-delivered programs have this potential. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the research findings and outcomes of website-delivered physical activity interventions and to identify relationships of intervention attributes with behavioral outcomes.

Methods: A structured search of PubMed, Medline, PsycInfo, and Web of Science was conducted for intervention studies published up to July 2006.

Telephone interventions for physical activity and dietary behavior change: a systematic review.

Background: Given the epidemic of lifestyle-related chronic diseases, building the evidence base for physical activity and dietary behavior change interventions with a wide population reach is of critical importance. For this purpose, telephone counseling interventions have considerable potential.

Purpose: To systematically review the literature on interventions for physical activity and dietary behavior change in which a telephone was the primary method of intervention delivery, with a focus on both internal and external validity.

Two-year follow-up of sequential and simultaneous interactive computer-tailored interventions for increasing physical activity and decreasing fat intake.

Background: Limited evidence exists on long-term efficacy of interactive computer-tailored interventions for increasing physical activity and decreasing fat intake, and even more so when they are implemented simultaneously or sequentially.

Purpose: This study aims to examine long-term efficacy of interactive computer-tailored physical activity and fat intake interventions, and evaluate their efficacy in a simultaneous or sequential implementation over 2 years.

Methods: Participants (392) were randomly assigned to a simultaneous group receiving both interventions at baseline; a sequential group first receiving the physical activity intervention and 3 months later the fat intake intervention; and a sequential group first receiving the fat intake intervention and 3 months later the physical activity intervention.

Acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of a computer-tailored physical activity intervention in adolescents.

Objective: To evaluate acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of computer-tailored physical activity education among adolescents.

Methods: Two classes of 7th graders from 10 randomly selected schools were assigned to the intervention (computer-tailored intervention, n=139) or control (no-intervention, n=142) condition. Questionnaires were completed 1 week before and 3 months after the intervention.

Evaluation of an interactive computer-tailored nutrition intervention in a real-life setting.

Background: Studies testing Web-based computer-tailored education in real-life settings are now needed.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness and applicability of an interactive computer-tailored fat reduction intervention, which was previously tested as efficacious in a controlled setting, delivered to a broader population by local health promotion services. The impact of the computer-tailored intervention is compared with a generic intervention and with a no-intervention control group.