Effects of Early-Program Physical Activity Lessons on Daily Active Minutes in a Digital Diabetes Prevention Program

ABSTRACT

Background

Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity have important benefits for type 2 diabetes prevention and risk reduction.

Purpose

To evaluate the immediate impact of completing educational lessons about physical activity within a fully digital diabetes prevention program (DPP) on the daily activity levels of participants with overweight or obesity and at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Methods

This study compared the pre-post change in daily active minutes of participants between two groups, 1. Completers, or participants who completed physical activity lessons 2 and 3 of the DPP and 2. Starters, or a propensity-matched control group who initiated the program but did not complete lessons 2 and 3 within the first month.

Results

We observed a significant difference in the change in daily active minutes between groups (U = 636742.5, p ≤ .0001). Completers increased their daily active minutes between baseline and the end of the first month (Mean = 7.1 minutes, SE = 0.7) while Starters decreased (Mean = –25.4 minutes; SE = 1.0).

Discussion

Targeted educational lessons about physical activity coupled with self-monitoring and automated coaching promoted daily physical activity among participants in a digital DPP.

Translation to Health Education Practice

Health educators may use digitally delivered educational lessons about physical activity to facilitate immediate changes in daily active behaviors.

Disclosure statement

VP, KGL, and SAG are employees of Lark Technologies.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded internally by Lark Technologies.