The Use of Text Messaging to Promote Physical Activity in African-American College Students: A Feasibility Study

African-American college students are less likely to meet recommended physical activity guidelines to promote health, and are at risk of overweight, obesity, and elevated blood pressure. Text messaging is an emerging international technology shown to engage college students, promote physical activity, and reduce health risks.

To determine the feasibility of using text messaging to promote physical activity among African-American college students enrolled in a unique course focusing on lifestyle behaviors for a healthy heart.

A purposive sample of 11 (n=4 male, n=7 female) African-American college students aged 18-25 years with cell phones capable of receiving messages was used in this study.

A three-week text-message protocol was piloted using web-based software to evaluate feasibility with post-hoc grouping of participants into responders and non responders. Descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U-tests were used to analyze group differences.

There was an attrition rate of nearly 91%. Observed engagement was 50% among responders with compliance at 44.44%. Observed engagement and compliance rates were less than 2% among nonresponders. There were no statistically significant differences in underlying variable distributions between groups. Of practical importance, it was noted that prior to texting responder means were higher for walking physical activity, and lower for body mass index, while nonresponders had higher means for vigorous physical activity.

The literature review indicated that text messaging is a cost-effective technology that can be incorporated into health education courses on HBCU campuses, but this project suggested semester timing is pivotal to feasibility. Implications largely address tailoring text messages to maintain engagement and evaluating the effect of text messages on physical activity level, body mass index, and blood pressure.