Smart Phones Used To Prevent Obesity

Trial for Adolescent Boys in Low-Income Communities

Pediatrics

WHY

• Adolescent boys from low income families are a group with an increased risk of obesity and other health concerns

• Changing habits at an earlier age will yield better results as an adult

• Heath care cost are higher in obese children and adults

• In low socialeconomic status, male youth are more at risk than female youth

HOW

• 361 MALE STUDENTS WERE CHOSEN FROM SCREENINGS

• 181 WERE INCLUDED IN THE INTERVENTION GROUP

• 180 WERE INCLUDED IN THE CONTROL GROUP

• 20 WEEK PLAN

• TRAINED RESEARCHER GATHERED DATA

WHAT THEY DID

• REDUCE SCREEN TIME

• MEASURED BMI

• MEASURED WAIST CIRCUMFRENCE

• MEASURED PERCENT OF BODY FAT

• MEASURED AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

• MEASURED AMOUT OF SWEETENED DRINKS

RESULTS

CONTROL• N/C screen time• N/C sweetened drinks• About one half inch reduction in

waist circumference• BMI Less than 1 point reduction• N/C body fat• No increase in physical fitness

INTERVENTION• 30% less screen time• 32% less intake of sweetened

drinks• About one half inch reduction in

waist circumference• BMI less than one point reduction• 2% less body fat• Significant increase in physical

fitness

THE APP

• FACT……..mobile phone ownership are accelerating with youth

• They may have more utility as adjuncts to face-to-face behavior change intervention

• Used for self monitoring and goal setting

IS IT WORTH IT?

• Yes!!!!!!!

• Cost of implementing programs will vary : school based, ownership of smart phones, recruitment of particpants

• Long term results show more than 10% reduction in obesity

• Obesity cost over 300 billion a year, 190 billion is direct medical cost

$190 Billion spent on medical cost per year in US for obesity

sites

• http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2014/06/19/Budget-Busting-US-Obesity-Costs-Climb-Past-300-Billion-Year

• Pediatrics Vol. 134 No. 3 September 1, 2014 • pp. e723 -e731 • (doi: 10.1542/peds.2014-1012)