A Web-Based Physical Activity Promotion Intervention for Inactive Parent-Child Dyads: Protocol for a Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Digital Health

Background:

• Sedentary lifestyles are prevalent, leading to adverse health outcomes.
• Physical activity declines significantly in children aged 8-12, influenced by family dynamics.
• Family-based interventions are under-researched for promoting physical activity in children and parents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel, theory-based, web-based intervention for parent-child dyads in Finland.
• To assess the intervention's efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability in improving physical activity levels.
• To target families not meeting current physical activity recommendations.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of 254 participants via panel company and social media.
• Random assignment to an immediate intervention or waitlist control group.
• A 10-week intervention including web-based workshops, tasks, resources, and a social support chat group.
• Data collection via surveys and accelerometers at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up.
• Exit interviews to assess feasibility and acceptability.

Main Results:

• The study will determine if the intervention increases leisure-time physical activity compared to the control group.
• It will analyze the intervention's impact on theoretical predictors of physical activity.
• Findings will inform refinements for future intervention materials and implementation.

Conclusions:

• The web-based intervention shows potential for scalable application in improving physical activity for parents and children.
• Dyadic, family-based strategies may be more effective than targeting individuals independently.
• The study will test theories linking psychological constructs to behavior change in physical activity.