Testing the Efficacy of an Online Social Network Intervention to Increase Social Support for Physical Activity

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill134 enrolled

Overview

This study was designed to determine whether participation in an online social network intervention increases perceived social support for physical activity versus a minimal education control group by conducting a randomized controlled trial with 140 female undergraduate students. The investigators hypothesize that participants in the physical activity centered online social network intervention group will have greater increases in perceived social support for physical activity compared to minimal web based physical activity education controls.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

134

Conditions

Cardiovascular Disease Cancer Obesity

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 17 YearsMax age: 24 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * female * under the age of 25 * currently enrolled full time or part time student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill * classified as an undergraduate * answers no to all questions on an exercise risk factor questionnaire (PAR-Q) or is cleared in writing by a physician to participate in an independent exercise program * a score of less than 3 on the SCOFF eating disorders questionnaire * less than 30 minutes per day of self reported moderate or vigorous physical activity * regular Facebook use as defined by self reported owning of an account and use of at least 30 minutes per day * willing to provide informed consent * willing to participate in the intervention * literate in the English language.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Mean perceived social support for physical activity scores on the Peer/Friend Support for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Scale.

The primary outcome measure is the mean score of a 19 item, 7 point scale that measures the frequency of social support interactions over the previous 6 weeks.

Time frame: 10 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Physical activity in kilocalories on the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire/College Alumnus Questionnaire

Time frame: 12 weeks