Lauren E. Bigham

Wearable Devices to Improve Physical Activity and Sleep A Randomized Controlled Trial of College-Aged African American Women

This study examined the efficacy of the Jawbone UP platform for increasing physical activity and improving sleep quality among African American college women using a randomized controlled trial. Participants were college-aged (19.9 ± 1.7 years) African American women (N = 69) at a southeastern midsize university in United States. The trial began in September 2013 and concluded in February 2014. Each group received similar brief training to use the respective platforms and weekly emails encouraged regular continued engagement. There was a significant difference at the 8-week follow-up, such that the intervention group decreased step counts relative to the comparison app (9,378 vs. 11,287 steps; p = .02). For sleep, neither group demonstrated any changes in sleep duration, sleep onset latency, wakefulness after sleep onset, or sleep efficiency at the 6-week posttest or 8-week follow-up. This study found no evidence for initial efficacy as a stand-alone tool for increasing physical activity or improving sleep.

Body Weight Misconception and Maintenance Among Female African American College Students

The purpose of this study was to compare self-reported weight classifications with objectively measured body mass index (BMI) and weight management motivations among female African American (AA) students in a mid-size southeastern university in a rural setting. Participants were recruited from general health class to complete a brief survey, and their height/weight was measured. Chi-square tests were performed to investigate whether mismatch occurred between self-perceived weight classification and directly measured BMI, and the relationship between body weight loss effort and self-perceived body weight. Among the women who were classified as overweight or obese based on direct measurements, 29.63% and 11.59% felt they were normal weight, respectively. Almost one third of the overweight college females perceived their body weight incorrectly and body weight perception is a significant factor driving the body weight control efforts. Appropriate programs for body weight perception and weight control behavior for AA female college students should be developed and implemented.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Smartphones and Wearable Devices as an Intervention Tool for College-Aged African American Females in an Experimental Physical Activity Study

ABSTRACT Objective: The current study examined the feasibility and acceptability of using the commercially available Jawbone UP accelerometer and associated smartphone application, or “app,” to promote physical activity and sleep among college-aged African American females. Methods: Data were drawn from a larger randomized controlled trial, and focused on a subsample of college-aged African American females (n = 28) who were randomly assigned to receive a Jawbone UP accelerometer. A mixed-methodological research design was employed using data triangulation from quantitative data on usage, satisfaction, physical activity, and sleep patterns, which was coupled with qualitative data collected through focus groups. Results: At six weeks, retention (78.5%) and adherence (61.9%) to the smartphone app were high. Overall, 95.5% of the participants reported finding the UP Band helpful and the majority of participants agreed to strongly agreed that the physical activity (90.5%) and sleep (95.5%) features influenced awareness of such health behaviors. Qualitative data supported both the feasibility and acceptability with five main themes: ease of use, product design, self-awareness, physical activity and sleep motivation, and social desirability. Conclusion: After using the UP Band, participants in this study reported increased awareness of both their physical activity and sleep patterns. As such, the present study supports wearable technology and smartphone apps as viable and feasible interventions to promote health behaviors among college-aged African American females.