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Considerations for a Social Media Physical Activity Program: Exploratory Study.
Katherine Q Scott-Andrews1, Annalise Lane1, Sarah Rock1
1School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
|February 14, 2022
Summary
Parents are interested in social media physical activity (SMPA) programs for families. Effective SMPA programs should focus on family fun, motor skills, and address barriers like time constraints.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Promotion
- Digital Health
Background:
- Low physical activity levels in parents and children are a public health concern.
- Social media presents a potential platform to promote physical activity.
- Existing literature lacks comprehensive understanding of parent interest in social media physical activity programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey parents' beliefs and interest regarding physical activity.
- To inform the design of effective and feasible social media physical activity (SMPA) programs.
- To expand literature on family-centered physical activity interventions.
Main Methods:
- Online questionnaire administered to 250 primary caregivers of children aged 6-12.
- Examined interest through direct responses.
- Assessed beliefs (perceptions, knowledge, support) using Spearman correlations.
- Analyzed perceived benefits, barriers, and motivators via open-ended questions.
Main Results:
- 86% of parents expressed interest in a tailored SMPA program.
- Significant correlations found between perceptions, knowledge, and support of physical activity.
- Key benefits identified were family time and health; barriers included time, motivation, and environment.
Conclusions:
- Parents are receptive to using SMPA programs to encourage healthy family behaviors.
- Effective SMPA programs should be family-oriented, fun, and emphasize motor skills.
- Programs must incorporate incentives, goal-setting, and address practical barriers like time and environmental factors.
