Team Science to Promote Physical Activity

Background: Fun For Wellness is an online intervention designed to promote growth in well-being and physical activity by providing confidence-enhancing learning opportunities to participants.

Objective: The objective of this feasibility study is to address uncertainties regarding the inclusion of accelerometer-based assessment of physical activity within the Fun For Wellness online intervention among free-living adults with obesity in the United States of America.

Method: The study design is a prospective, double-blind, parallel group randomized pilot trial.

Discussion: Results are intended to inform the preparation of a future definitive randomized controlled trial.

Fun For Wellness is an online intervention designed to promote growth in well-being and physical activity by providing confidence-enhancing learning opportunities to participants \[1\]. The conceptual framework for the Fun For Wellness intervention is guided by self-efficacy theory \[2\]. Evidence has been provided for the efficacy of Fun For Wellness to promote self-reported physical well-being actions in free-living adults who comply with the intervention \[3\]. The objective of this feasibility study is to address uncertainties regarding the inclusion of accelerometer-based assessment of physical activity within the Fun For Wellness online intervention among free-living adults with obesity in the United States of America.

Four specific aims will be investigated. Aim 1. To determine if accelerometer-based assessment of physical activity can be used within the Fun For Wellness intervention.

Aim 2. To determine if accelerometer-based assessment of physical activity should be used within the Fun For Wellness intervention.

Aim 3. To determine how to implement accelerometer-based assessment of physical activity within the Fun For Wellness intervention.

Aim 4. To provide a preliminary effect size estimate for each direct effect in the conceptual model for the Fun For Wellness online intervention.

Pursuit of these four specific aims is based on a general conceptual framework for feasibility and pilot studies in preparation for a future definitive randomized controlled trial \[4-6\]. Within this conceptual framework, a randomized pilot trial is a type of a feasibility study and a feasibility study may include a focus on the acceptability of an intervention \[4-6\].

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

Individual is at least 18 years old but not older than 64 years old. Individual has a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25.00 kg/m2. Individual has access to a technological device (e.g., computer) that can access the online intervention.

Individual is not simultaneously enrolled in another program promoting either well-being or physical activity.

Individual is willing to comply with instructions for physical activity monitoring.

Exclusion Criteria:

Individual is less than 18 years old or older than 64 years old. Individual has a body mass index (BMI) \< 25.00. Individual does not have access to a technological device (e.g., computer) that can access the online intervention.

Individual is simultaneously enrolled in another program promoting either well-being or physical activity.

Individual is unwilling to comply with instructions for physical activity monitoring.