Effects of an mHealth Intervention to Improve Health Behaviors Among Sedentary Workers

Background: Studies have shown the negative impact of physical inactivity, sedentary and unhealthy eating behavior on worker health and productivity. Sedentary workers are at greater risk of developing chronic diseases due to these behavioral risk factors. The literature moderately supports mHealth interventions for promoting physical activity and healthy diets. However, there is a dearth of research on mHealth interventions targeting the clustering of physical activity, sedentary and dietary behavior among sedentary workers in the occupational setting. Furthermore, there is a lack of evidence on its long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness on health behaviors as well as health-related and work- related outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate a 12-week theory-driven, tailored mHealth intervention for improving diet, physical activity and sedentary behavior among sedentary workers. Three specific aims are to: (1) determine intervention participants' perceptions of and engagement with the mHealth program components to understand intervention effects by surveys and focus groups; (2) determine the effectiveness of the mHealth intervention compared to usual care; and (3) determine the cost-effectiveness of the mHealth intervention compared to usual care, using incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs).

Methods: This is a three-year research project. Year 1 is mHealth intervention delivery and evaluation using a quasi-experimental design. Concepts of social cognitive theory of self-regulation and self-efficacy and an ecological model provide the theoretical foundation for the intervention. Year 2 will be primarily to evaluate the intervention. Year 3 will be primarily an international comparison of cost-effectiveness of mHealth interventions to improve diet, physical activity and sedentary behavior for employees.

A total of 100 sedentary workers (50 per condition) will be recruited from two workplaces. The intervention group will have access to the Internet for using a newly developed Simple health web app and receive an activity tracker. A sample of 100 is required to detect differences in primary outcomes: cardiometabolic risk biomarkers, productivity loss, body composition, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and dietary behavior; and secondary outcomes: self-report self-efficacy and self-regulation, at baseline, 3-, 12-, and 24-month follow up. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) will be used to examine intervention effects over time.

The Simple health web app will consist of six major components: (1) daily healthy eating goals and records; (2) daily physical activity goals and records; (3) daily stand-up goals and records; (4) advice and reminder; (5) educational and motivational tools; and (6) personal and team health ranking.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Full-time employees with sedentary occupations that involve sitting most of the time.
2. Age 20 years and older.
3. No physical limitations that would prevent them from performing physical activity.
4. Has access to the Internet.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Part-time employees.
2. Has an expected absence from work for more than two weeks or an expected relocation to another workplace within the next 12 months.
3. Pregnant or planning to get pregnant within the next 12 months.