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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #398328
Research Project: Preventing the Development of Childhood Obesity

Location: Children's Nutrition Research Center

Title: Co-designing text messages with Hispanic adolescents to promote physical activity and sleep

Author
item SOLTERO, ERICA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item O'CONNOR, TERESIA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item MUSAAD, SALMA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item Thompson, Deborah - Debbe

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/29/2022
Publication Date: 9/8/2022
Citation: Soltero, E.G., O'Connor, T.M., Musaad, S., Thompson, D.J. 2022. Co-designing text messages with Hispanic adolescents to promote physical activity and sleep [abstract]. Digital Physical Activity and Diet (dPAD) Collaborative Symposium. September 8-9, 2022; Houston, TX. Oral and Poster Presentation.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Hispanic adolescents experience higher rates of obesity (27% vs. 21.5% general population) compared to any other pediatric age or ethnic subgroup in the U.S. The use of text messages to promote healthy activity and sleep behaviors is promising given that 95% of Hispanic youth own a mobile phone and texting is their preferred method of communication. Unfortunately, the evidence for text message-based lifestyle interventions among Hispanic adolescents is limited. The aim of this study was to co-design a bank of goal-setting text messages that are evidence-based, acceptable, and engaging for Hispanic youth. Participants included a community sample of Hispanic adolescents (14-16 years; N=20) with obesity (BMI%>=95th). A mixed-methods approach was used across three phases: 1) in-depth interviews to develop an initial text library, 2) a youth and expert survey to assess the initial text library, and 3) development of the final bank of texts. In-depth interviews revealed that youth desired assistance in setting goals, health facts, recommendations for improving activity and sleep, and encouraging feedback that praises progress over achievements. To increase engagement, youth recommended the use of emojis, GIFs, and video links. They also recommended sending no more than 2-3 texts per day, before and after school. These findings led to the development of an initial bank of 107 texts. Youth and experts (N=6) reviewed a subsample of texts (N=36). Youth agreed that messages were easy to understand (100%), helpful for setting behavioral goals (89%), used wording that was mostly (72%) 'cool' as opposed to 'cringe', and that they would try most (89%) of the suggested activities. Experts had 100% agreement that texts were age- and culturally appropriate and that 82% reflected an evidence-base behavior change technique. Experts also provided recommendations for making texts more concise. The final library included 125 texts of <=160 characters written at a fourth-grade reading level. This study may provide guidance for the development of other text message-based lifestyle interventions for high-risk adolescents. The text message library created in this study will be used in conjunction with a Fitbit activity tracker in a 12-week feasibility pilot study among Hispanic adolescents with obesity.