Food, fun, and fitness internet program for girls: pilot evaluation of an e-Health youth obesity prevention program examining predictors of obesity

Prev Med. 2008 Nov;47(5):494-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2008.07.014. Epub 2008 Jul 30.

Abstract

Objective: This pilot study tested whether an Internet-based intervention could achieve change in fruit, juice, and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and self-efficacy in youth at-risk of obesity.

Method: Participants were 80 8-to-10-year-old African American girls at-risk of obesity, with a home computer, Internet access, and an e-mail address. A two-group design was followed. Groups differed only on incentive schedule (immediate, delayed). The 8-week home-based program, conducted entirely over the Internet, promoted fruit, juice, vegetables, and water intake and physical activity. Pre-post measures were collected through self-report via the program website. The study was conducted in the greater Houston, TX, area September through November, 2004.

Results: Statistically significant pre-to-post differences were observed in fruit, juice, and vegetable consumption (p=.002), physical activity--yesterday (p<.001), physical activity--usually (p=.001), and fruit, juice, and vegetable self-efficacy (p=.003).

Conclusion: Internet-based obesity prevention programs may be an effective channel for promoting healthy diet and physical activity behaviors to youth at-risk of obesity. Additional research is needed to more fully examine their effectiveness at promoting and maintaining diet and physical activity change.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American*
  • Child
  • Diet*
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Fruit
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Obesity / prevention & control*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Play and Playthings*
  • Self Efficacy
  • Texas
  • Vegetables