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Physical activity measurements: lessons learned from the pathways study
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. going@u.arizona.edu
Insights
The Pathways study aimed to increase physical activity (PA) in American Indian children. While some sites improved daily PA, the overall intervention did not significantly increase activity levels compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Childhood obesity prevention
- Public health interventions
- Indigenous health research
Background:
- High obesity rates among American Indian children necessitate targeted interventions.
- The Pathways study addressed this by focusing on increasing physical activity (PA).
- Collaboration involved multiple tribes, universities, and health institutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a school- and community-based intervention to increase physical activity in American Indian children.
- To develop and implement feasible and tribally accepted PA assessment methods.
- To analyze time-segmented physical activity data.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial design was employed.
- Developed and utilized a novel PA questionnaire alongside accelerometry for comprehensive assessment.
- Pilot testing ensured study objectives, feasibility, and tribal acceptance of PA measures.
Main Results:
- Three out of four study sites demonstrated an increase in average daily physical activity.
- The overall difference in PA between intervention and control groups was not statistically significant.
- Limitations included challenges in distinguishing individual PA levels and accelerometer constraints.
Conclusions:
- While specific sites showed promise, the intervention's overall impact on increasing physical activity was not significant.
- Future research should utilize smaller, multi-day accelerometers for improved PA assessment.
- Addressing childhood obesity in American Indian communities requires ongoing, refined intervention strategies.
Abstract:
High obesity rates in American Indian children led to Pathways, a randomized school- and community-based childhood prevention study. Seven tribes, 5 universities, the National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and 4 elementary schools partnered in the study. Increasing physical activity (PA) was an important intervention target. The PA assessment was based on study objectives, feasibility, and tribal acceptance. A time-segmented analysis was also desired. Two methods, a new PA questionnaire and accelerometry, were developed during pilot testing. Together, the methods provided qualitative and quantitative information and showed that 3 of 4 sites were able to increase average daily PA, although overall the control versus intervention difference was not significant. The main limitation was inability to distinguish PA among individuals. Accelerometer size and some community concerns led to a protocol based on a single day of wearing time. Newer model triaxial accelerometers that are much smaller and allow sampling of multiple days of activity are recommended for future studies.
