Published on Authors of this article:. Background: Physical activity PA plays a fundamental role in combating the current obesity epidemic; however, most women who are overweight or obese are generally physically inactive. Wearable activity tracker interventions can help increase the PA levels in this population. Supplementing such interventions with behavioral support emails may further improve their effectiveness, but this remains to be confirmed. Objective: This study aims to determine if adding behavioral support emails to a wearable activity tracker intervention can further increase PA levels among women who are overweight or obese in comparison to a wearable activity trackerβonly intervention and a control condition.
Group 1 received 6 weekly behavioral support emails, a wearable activity tracker, and a copy of the Canadian PA guidelines. Group 2 received a wearable activity tracker and a copy of the Canadian PA guidelines, and group 3 control condition received a copy of the Canadian PA guidelines. Self-reported data for walking and moderate to vigorous intensity PA were collected preintervention week 0; prerandomization , postintervention 7 weeks postrandomization , and at follow-up 21 weeks postrandomization and analyzed as metabolic equivalent of task minutes per week.
In addition, potential mechanisms of behavior change ie, basic psychological needs satisfaction and motivational regulations were assessed for within- and between-group differences at all 3 time points. Data were analyzed using nonparametric statistical tests. Results: A total of 49 women were recruited; data from 47 women mean age There were no significant changes in the motivational regulations within the groups.
The difference between the groups was not significant for any outcome variable. Conclusions: The results suggest that adding behavioral support emails to a wearable activity tracker intervention may help to increase time spent walking and perceptions of competence and relatedness for PA among women who are overweight or obese.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials. According to the World Health Organization, obesity is a major risk factor for serious conditions, such as diabetes, certain cancers, and heart diseases [ 1 ]. Regular engagement in physical activity PA helps with weight management and can reduce the risk of developing certain health conditions associated with obesity [ 3 ].
