smart walk: a culturally tailored smartphone-delivered physical activity intervention for african american women

Conditions: Physical Activity; Exercise; Heart Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Physical Inactivity

Summary: the purpose of this study is to test a culturally tailored, smartphone-delivered intervention designed to increase physical activity and reduce risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes among african american women.

this study addresses major public health concerns among african american women: physical inactivity and cardiometabolic disease risk. african american women experience a high burden of cardiometabolic diseases, including heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. regular aerobic physical activity is an established behavior to prevent and treat these conditions. yet, the many african american women are insufficiently active, with only 27-40% meeting national aerobic physical activity guidelines. this study will test the efficacy of smart walk, a culturally tailored, theory-based smartphone-delivered intervention designed to increase physical activity and improve cardiometabolic disease risk factors among african american women. in a 12-month trial, participants will be randomly assigned to either the smart walk intervention or a fitbit-only comparison arm for an active 4-month intervention period, followed by an 8-month minimal contact follow-up period. specific aims: 1. test the effects of smart walk to increase physical activity and promote adherence to national aerobic physical activity guidelines; compared to fitbit-only comparison group. 2. test the effects of smart walk to improve cardiometabolic risk factors; compared to fitbit-only comparison group. 3. compare cost and cost effectiveness of the two intervention groups from a societal perspective. 4. examine if protocol adherence predicts outcomes and potential mediation and moderation of intervention effects on physical activity and cardiometabolic outcomes.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * self-reported african american/black female * aged of 24-65 years * insufficiently active (\< 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week as measured by exercise vital sign questionnaire) * bmi \> 30 kg/m2 * english speaking and reading * ownership of a smartphone with the ability to download applications (i.e., apps) * ownership of a smartphone with the ability to receive text messages * willingness to receive a physical activity intervention delivered through their smartphone * willingness to include their first name or create an alias to be used on their profile page on the smart walk app exclusion criteria: * plans to relocate out of phoenix area in next 12 months * endorsing an item on the physical activity readiness questionnaire (par-q), unless a doctor's note for study participation in provided * resting systolic blood pressure greater than 180 mmhg and/or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 120 mmhg , as assessed at baseline or at any other study assessment * self-reported participation in another diet or weight loss study at screening * pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 12 months

Keywords: mhealth women's health health equity african american women black women exercise physical activity heart disease diabetes