JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Several studies support the impact of Information Communication Technology-based interventions to promote physical activity among youth [9, 10]. Despite all the studies suggesting benefits of using technology to promote healthy lifestyles among youth, little is known on how technology can be used by the entire family to encourage healthy behavior that can be sustained over long period of time. Previous studies showed that children and youth rely and are dependent upon decisions and values of their caregivers when it comes to having a healthy lifestyle [11,12]. Thus, the exploration of behavior and attitudes of the entire family are needed.

Objective:

To explore how the use of physical activity tracking devices (FitBit Zipâ„¢) by families in rural communities influence a) participation in physical activity; and b) perception of physical activity.

Methods:

Eleven families with one to three children of different ages took part in semi-structured group interviews following two weeks of using physical activity tracking devices (FitBit Zip™) as a family. The participants were asked to discuss their experience using the FitBit Zip™ as a family, motivation to be physically active, changes in their pattern of participation in those activities, level of engagement by different family members, and competitiveness with or support of each other. All interviews were voice recorded with the participants’ permission and later transcribed verbatim using pseudonyms. To analyze the data the primary investigator (IS) used open, axial, selective coding techniques.

Results:

Two themes appeared from the data. Changes in physical activities as a result of using FitBit Zipâ„¢ as a family was either absent (lack of interest, already active lifestyle) or minimal (small, naturally occurring changes into everyday life or expanding participation in the activities they were already involved with). However, the participants reported change in attitude and perception of physical activities and healthy lifestyle. As a result of using physical activity tracking devices, the family members reported an increased awareness of their activity level and accountability for being inactive, introduced more conversations about active lifestyle and healthy lifestyle, and changed their view of physical activity to more positive one.

Conclusions:

While the participation in physical activities as a result of using physical activity tracking devices (FitBit Zipâ„¢) by families in rural communities was not significantly changed, the attitude toward participating in physical activity was altered. Considering long term changes in lifestyle, the change in the attitude might have more important impact than the change in the immediate behavior.