Journal: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Abbreviation

Int. j. behav. nutr. phys. act.

Publisher

BioMed Central

Journal Volumes

ISSN

1479-5868

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Publications 1 - 6 of 6
  • Changes in active commuting and changes in physical activity in adults
    Item type: Journal Article
    Foley, Louise; Panter, Jenna; Heinen, Eva; et al. (2015)
    International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
    Background Active travel is associated with greater physical activity, but there is a dearth of research examining this relationship over time. We examined the longitudinal associations between change in time spent in active commuting and changes in recreational and total physical activity. Methods Adult commuters working in Cambridge, United Kingdom completed questionnaires in 2009 and 2012, and a sub-set completed objective physical activity monitoring in 2010 and 2012. Commuting was assessed using a validated seven-day travel to work record. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was assessed using the Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire and combined heart rate and movement sensing. We used multivariable multinomial logistic regression models to examine associations between change in time spent in active commuting and tertiles of changes in time spent in recreational and total physical activity. Results Four hundred sixty-nine participants (67 % female, mean age 44 years) provided valid travel and self-reported physical activity data. Seventy-one participants (54 % female, mean age 45 years) provided valid travel and objectively measured physical activity data. A decrease in active commuting was associated with a greater likelihood of a decrease in self-reported total physical activity (relative risk ratio [RRR] 2.1, 95 % CI 1.1, 4.1). Correspondingly, an increase in active commuting was associated with a borderline significantly greater likelihood of an increase in self-reported total physical activity (RRR 1.8, 95 % CI 1.0, 3.4). No associations were seen between change in time spent in active commuting and change in time spent in either self-reported recreational physical activity or objectively measured physical activity. Conclusions Changes in active commuting were associated with commensurate changes in total self-reported physical activity and we found no compensatory changes in self-reported recreational physical activity. Promoting active commuting has potential as a public health strategy to increase physical activity. Future longitudinal research would be useful to verify these findings.
  • Objective and perceived availability of physical activity opportunities: differences in associations with physical activity behavior among urban adolescents
    Item type: Journal Article
    Prins, Richard; Oenema, Anke; van der Horst, Klazine; et al. (2009)
    International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
    Background This study examined the associations of the perceived and objective environment with adolescent engagement in sports activities and walking and cycling in leisure time. It also explored the degree of agreement between objective and perceived availability of physical activity (PA) facilities in neighborhoods. Methods Cross-sectional data on physical activity, the perceived availability of physical activity opportunities (perceived physical environment) was assessed through a questionnaire and the objective availability of PA opportunities (objective physical environment) was obtained through GIS data. The final sample included 654 adolescents with a mean age of 14.1 (SD = 1.2) years. Results Perceived availability of sports facilities and parks was significantly associated with engaging in sports (OR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.16-2.56) and with walking and cycling in leisure time (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.07-2.57) respectively. Agreement between objective and perceived environment was low to moderate with Kappa values ranging from -0.005 to 0.053. Conclusion The perceived environment was the stronger correlate of PA behavior among adolescents. There were substantial differences between assessments of objective and perceived physical environment.
  • The international food unit: a new measurement aid that can improve portion size estimation
    Item type: Journal Article
    Bucher, Tamara; Weltert, M.; Rollo, M. E.; et al. (2017)
    International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
    Background Portion size education tools, aids and interventions can be effective in helping prevent weight gain. However consumers have difficulties in estimating food portion sizes and are confused by inconsistencies in measurement units and terminologies currently used. Visual cues are an important mediator of portion size estimation, but standardized measurement units are required. In the current study, we present a new food volume estimation tool and test the ability of young adults to accurately quantify food volumes. The International Food Unit™ (IFU™) is a 4x4x4 cm cube (64cm3), subdivided into eight 2 cm sub-cubes for estimating smaller food volumes. Compared with currently used measures such as cups and spoons, the IFU™ standardizes estimation of food volumes with metric measures. The IFU™ design is based on binary dimensional increments and the cubic shape facilitates portion size education and training, memory and recall, and computer processing which is binary in nature. Methods The performance of the IFU™ was tested in a randomized between-subject experiment (n = 128 adults, 66 men) that estimated volumes of 17 foods using four methods; the IFU™ cube, a deformable modelling clay cube, a household measuring cup or no aid (weight estimation). Estimation errors were compared between groups using Kruskall-Wallis tests and post-hoc comparisons. Results Estimation errors differed significantly between groups (H(3) = 28.48, p < .001). The volume estimations were most accurate in the group using the IFU™ cube (Mdn = 18.9%, IQR = 50.2) and least accurate using the measuring cup (Mdn = 87.7%, IQR = 56.1). The modelling clay cube led to a median error of 44.8% (IQR = 41.9). Compared with the measuring cup, the estimation errors using the IFU™ were significantly smaller for 12 food portions and similar for 5 food portions. Weight estimation was associated with a median error of 23.5% (IQR = 79.8). Conclusions The IFU™ improves volume estimation accuracy compared to other methods. The cubic shape was perceived as favourable, with subdivision and multiplication facilitating volume estimation. Further studies should investigate whether the IFU™ can facilitate portion size training and whether portion size education using the IFU™ is effective and sustainable without the aid. A 3-dimensional IFU™ could serve as a reference object for estimating food volume.
  • Feasibility of the “LvL UP” trial: a pilot sequential multiple assignment randomised trial of an adaptive, holistic mHealth lifestyle coaching intervention
    Item type: Journal Article
    Zheng, Shenglin; Castro, Oscar; Mair, Jacqueline Louise; et al. (2026)
    International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
    Background Mobile Health (mHealth) interventions are promising for addressing the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases and common mental disorders but often focus on single domains and lack adaptability. LvL UP (“Level Up”) is a holistic mHealth lifestyle coaching intervention that integrates physical activity, diet, and emotional regulation. It provides blended coaching support through an app-based conversational agent with adaptive human support. This pilot trial assessed the feasibility of delivering the LvL UP intervention and implementing its adaptive procedures using a sequential multiple assignment randomised trial (SMART) design. Methods This eight-week pilot trial was conducted from 29 March to 1 August 2024. We recruited adults in Singapore aged 21–59 at risk of chronic conditions. Participants were randomised 2:1 to the intervention (LvL UP app with a peer supporter–LvL UP Buddy) or comparison (control app with educational resources). After four weeks, non-responders (defined as completing < 6 digital coaching sessions or rated session usefulness < 4/5) were re-randomised 1:1 to continue or receive three additional motivational interviewing (MI)-informed sessions with a human coach; responders remained on their original allocation. Primary outcomes included feasibility indicators: recruitment, LvL UP Buddy enrolment, non-responder rate, trial retention, data completion rate, and intervention engagement. Secondary outcomes measured changes from baseline to eight weeks in mental well-being, psychological distress, physical activity, sleep duration, and fruit and vegetable intake. Six progression criteria were prespecified to guide advancement to a definitive trial. Results Of the 458 individuals screened, 394 were eligible, and 123 were enrolled (82 interventions; 41 controls). Most intervention participants (95.1%) were paired with a LvL UP Buddy. Thirty-eight participants (46.3%) were non-responders; of those assigned to MI-informed sessions, 52.6% (10/19) completed all three. Eight-week retention was high (91.5% intervention; 92.7% control), with 12.2% missing data. Positive trends were observed in mental well-being (2.12, 95% CI [-0.58, 4.82]), psychological distress (-0.94 [-2.08, 0.20]), and sleep duration (0.49 h/week [0.17, 0.82]). The study met five of six prespecified progression criteria: recruiting ≥ 60 participants within six weeks, achieving ≥ 75% retention, maintaining ≤ 20% missing data, obtaining a 40–60% non-responder rate, and showing a positive change in ≥ 1 health-related outcome. The digital coaching session adherence fell below the target (39.5% vs. 70%). Conclusions LvL UP was feasible to deliver and evaluate using a SMART design. The results provide strong operational guidance and a solid foundation for the refinement and implementation of a fully powered trial. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, TRN: NCT06360029, Registration date: 7 April 2024.
  • ServAR: An augmented reality tool to guide the serving of food
    Item type: Journal Article
    Rollo, Megan E.; Bucher, Tamara; Smith, Shamus P.; et al. (2017)
    International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
    Background Accurate estimation of food portion size is a difficult task. Visual cues are important mediators of portion size and therefore technology-based aids may assist consumers when serving and estimating food portions. The current study evaluated the usability and impact on estimation error of standard food servings of a novel augmented reality food serving aid, ServAR. Methods Participants were randomised into one of three groups: 1) no information/aid (control); 2) verbal information on standard serving sizes; or 3) ServAR, an aid which overlayed virtual food servings over a plate using a tablet computer. Participants were asked to estimate the standard serving sizes of nine foods (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, kidney beans, potato, pasta, rice, and sweetcorn) using validated food replicas. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests compared median served weights of each food to reference standard serving size weights. Percentage error was used to compare the estimation of serving size accuracy between the three groups. All participants also performed a usability test using the ServAR tool to guide the serving of one randomly selected food. Results Ninety adults (78.9% female; a mean (95%CI) age 25.8 (24.9–26.7) years; BMI 24.2 (23.2–25.2) kg/m2) completed the study. The median servings were significantly different to the reference portions for five foods in the ServAR group, compared to eight foods in the information only group and seven foods for the control group. The cumulative proportion of total estimations per group within ±10%, ±25% and ±50% of the reference portion was greater for those using ServAR (30.7, 65.2 and 90.7%; respectively), compared to the information only group (19.6, 47.4 and 77.4%) and control group (10.0, 33.7 and 68.9%). Participants generally found the ServAR tool easy to use and agreed that it showed potential to support optimal portion size selection. However, some refinements to the ServAR tool are required to improve the user experience. Conclusions Use of the augmented reality tool improved accuracy and consistency of estimating standard serve sizes compared to the information only and control conditions. ServAR demonstrates potential as a practical tool to guide the serving of food. Further evaluation across a broad range of foods, portion sizes and settings is warranted.
  • Changes in mode of travel to work
    Item type: Journal Article
    Heinen, Eva; Panter, Jenna; Mackett, Roger; et al. (2015)
    International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
    Background New transport infrastructure may promote a shift towards active travel, thereby improving population health. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a major transport infrastructure project on commuters’ mode of travel, trip frequency and distance travelled to work. Methods Quasi-experimental analysis nested within a cohort study of 470 adults working in Cambridge, UK. The intervention consisted of the opening of a guided busway with a path for walking and cycling in 2011. Exposure to the intervention was defined as the negative of the square root of the shortest distance from home to busway. The outcome measures were changes in commute mode share and number of commute trips — both based on a seven-day travel-to-work record collected before (2009) and after (2012) the intervention — and change in objective commute distance. The mode share outcomes were changes in the proportions of trips (i) involving any active travel, (ii) involving any public transport, and (iii) made entirely by car. Separate multinomial regression models were estimated adjusting for commute and sociodemographic characteristics, residential settlement size and life events. Results Proximity to the busway predicted an increased likelihood of a large (>30 %) increase in the share of commute trips involving any active travel (relative risk ratio [RRR] 1.80, 95 % CI 1.27, 2.55) and a large decrease in the share of trips made entirely by car (RRR 2.09, 95 % CI 1.35, 3.21), as well as a lower likelihood of a small (<30 %) reduction in the share of trips involving any active travel (RRR 0.47, 95 % CI 0.28, 0.81). It was not associated with changes in the share of commute trips involving any public transport, the number of commute trips, or commute distance. Conclusions The new infrastructure promoted an increase in the share of commuting trips involving active travel and a decrease in the share made entirely by car. Further analysis will show the extent to which the changes in commute mode share were translated into an increase in time spent in active commuting and consequent health gain.
Publications 1 - 6 of 6