Smart Phones Used To Prevent Obesity
Trial for Adolescent Boys in Low-Income Communities
Pediatrics
WHY
• Adolescent boys from low income families are a group with an increased risk of obesity and other health concerns
• Changing habits at an earlier age will yield better results as an adult
• Heath care cost are higher in obese children and adults
• In low socialeconomic status, male youth are more at risk than female youth
HOW
• 361 MALE STUDENTS WERE CHOSEN FROM SCREENINGS
• 181 WERE INCLUDED IN THE INTERVENTION GROUP
• 180 WERE INCLUDED IN THE CONTROL GROUP
• 20 WEEK PLAN
• TRAINED RESEARCHER GATHERED DATA
WHAT THEY DID
• REDUCE SCREEN TIME
• MEASURED BMI
• MEASURED WAIST CIRCUMFRENCE
• MEASURED PERCENT OF BODY FAT
• MEASURED AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
• MEASURED AMOUT OF SWEETENED DRINKS
RESULTS
CONTROL• N/C screen time• N/C sweetened drinks• About one half inch reduction in
waist circumference• BMI Less than 1 point reduction• N/C body fat• No increase in physical fitness
INTERVENTION• 30% less screen time• 32% less intake of sweetened
drinks• About one half inch reduction in
waist circumference• BMI less than one point reduction• 2% less body fat• Significant increase in physical
fitness
THE APP
• FACT……..mobile phone ownership are accelerating with youth
• They may have more utility as adjuncts to face-to-face behavior change intervention
• Used for self monitoring and goal setting
IS IT WORTH IT?
• Yes!!!!!!!
• Cost of implementing programs will vary : school based, ownership of smart phones, recruitment of particpants
• Long term results show more than 10% reduction in obesity
• Obesity cost over 300 billion a year, 190 billion is direct medical cost
$190 Billion spent on medical cost per year in US for obesity
sites
• http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2014/06/19/Budget-Busting-US-Obesity-Costs-Climb-Past-300-Billion-Year
• Pediatrics Vol. 134 No. 3 September 1, 2014 • pp. e723 -e731 • (doi: 10.1542/peds.2014-1012)
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