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 US-Obesity-Costs-Climb-Past-300-Billion-Year US-Obesity-Costs-Climb-Past-300-Billion-Year Pediatrics Vol. 134 No. 3 September 1, 2014 pp. e723 -e731 (doi: /peds )