Akinola O1, Mbada C2,3, Olumomi G2, Awotidebe O4
1Bowen University, Physiotherapy, Iwo, Nigeria, 2Obafemi Awolowo University, Medical Rehabilitation, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 3University of Medical Sciences Ondo Nigeria, Physiotherapy, Ondo, Nigeria, 4Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Medical Rehabilitation, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Background: The rising trend of physical inactivity and overweight/obesity among young female adults calls for innovative interventions.
Purpose: This study investigated the effect of a structured SMS-based educational intervention on physical activity participation and weight loss (measured in terms of body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)) among female undergraduates.
Methods: This experimental study recruited 50 consenting female undergraduates with BMI of 25kg /m² and above from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The participants were randomly allocated into two group (intervention group and control group). The participants in the intervention group received structured-SMS based educational instructions on physical activity and nutritional advice thrice weekly for eight weeks. The control group were only monitored for assessment but received no intervention. Physical activity was assessed using Pedometer. Weight and waist circumference were measured following standard procedure.. Outcomes were assessed in terms of Weight, BMI, WC and physical activity at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks. Alpha level was set at p 0.05
Results: The mean ages of the intervention and control groups were 22.0±1.24 yearsand21.9±1.32 years respectively. There was significant decrease in BMI (27.9±2.75kg/m² vs. 27.5±3.24kg/m² vs. 27.4±3.22kg/m²; p=0.001), and waist circumference (82.9±7.34cm vs. 81.2±6.82cm vs. 81.0± 7.28cm, p=0.001), while there was significant increase in physical activity (5991±1801.8 vs. 5972±1.726 vs. 6265±2059.8 p=0.001) across baseline, 4th and 8th week of the study in the intervention groups. On the other hand, there was significant increase in BMI (28.2±1.96kg/m² vs. 28.8±2.17kg/² vs. 28.9±2.11kg/m² p=0.001), and waist circumference (84.5±7.48cm vs. 85.3±7.35cm vs. 85.4±7.74cm, p=0.001), while there was significant increase in physical activity (4503.3±1508 vs. 5106.7±1942.7 vs. 5081.3±3170.3 p=0.001) from the baseline through fourth weeks and to eighth week in the control group. There was significant increase in weight (-0.92±2.15kg vs. 1.52±2.10kg p=0.001), BMI (-0.35±0.84kg/m² vs. 0.58±0.81kg/m²) and waist circumference (-1.72±4.07cm vs. 0.84±3.23cm p=0.002) at week four between the experimental and control. There was significant increase in weight (-1.40±2.15kg vs 1.92±2.61kg p=0.001), BMI (-0.52±1.18kg/m² vs 0.75±1.01kg/m² p=0.001) and waist circumference (-1.90±4.94cm vs. 0.86±3.54cm p=0.003) at week eight between the experimental and control.
Conclusion(s): It was concluded that a structured short message service text messages on physical activity and nutritional advice can help to achieve weight reduction and improve physical activity participation among university students.
Implications: Education intervention using SMS may help reverse or forestall physical inactivity and its consequences among female university undergraduates
Keywords: Physical activity, SMS, Young adults
Funding acknowledgements: There was no funding received in relation to the study.
Purpose: This study investigated the effect of a structured SMS-based educational intervention on physical activity participation and weight loss (measured in terms of body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)) among female undergraduates.
Methods: This experimental study recruited 50 consenting female undergraduates with BMI of 25kg /m² and above from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The participants were randomly allocated into two group (intervention group and control group). The participants in the intervention group received structured-SMS based educational instructions on physical activity and nutritional advice thrice weekly for eight weeks. The control group were only monitored for assessment but received no intervention. Physical activity was assessed using Pedometer. Weight and waist circumference were measured following standard procedure.. Outcomes were assessed in terms of Weight, BMI, WC and physical activity at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks. Alpha level was set at p 0.05
Results: The mean ages of the intervention and control groups were 22.0±1.24 yearsand21.9±1.32 years respectively. There was significant decrease in BMI (27.9±2.75kg/m² vs. 27.5±3.24kg/m² vs. 27.4±3.22kg/m²; p=0.001), and waist circumference (82.9±7.34cm vs. 81.2±6.82cm vs. 81.0± 7.28cm, p=0.001), while there was significant increase in physical activity (5991±1801.8 vs. 5972±1.726 vs. 6265±2059.8 p=0.001) across baseline, 4th and 8th week of the study in the intervention groups. On the other hand, there was significant increase in BMI (28.2±1.96kg/m² vs. 28.8±2.17kg/² vs. 28.9±2.11kg/m² p=0.001), and waist circumference (84.5±7.48cm vs. 85.3±7.35cm vs. 85.4±7.74cm, p=0.001), while there was significant increase in physical activity (4503.3±1508 vs. 5106.7±1942.7 vs. 5081.3±3170.3 p=0.001) from the baseline through fourth weeks and to eighth week in the control group. There was significant increase in weight (-0.92±2.15kg vs. 1.52±2.10kg p=0.001), BMI (-0.35±0.84kg/m² vs. 0.58±0.81kg/m²) and waist circumference (-1.72±4.07cm vs. 0.84±3.23cm p=0.002) at week four between the experimental and control. There was significant increase in weight (-1.40±2.15kg vs 1.92±2.61kg p=0.001), BMI (-0.52±1.18kg/m² vs 0.75±1.01kg/m² p=0.001) and waist circumference (-1.90±4.94cm vs. 0.86±3.54cm p=0.003) at week eight between the experimental and control.
Conclusion(s): It was concluded that a structured short message service text messages on physical activity and nutritional advice can help to achieve weight reduction and improve physical activity participation among university students.
Implications: Education intervention using SMS may help reverse or forestall physical inactivity and its consequences among female university undergraduates
Keywords: Physical activity, SMS, Young adults
Funding acknowledgements: There was no funding received in relation to the study.
Topic: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) & risk factors; Education: clinical
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Ethics committee: Health Research and Ethics Committee, Institute of Public Health
Ethics number: IPHOAU/12/924
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
