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Automated Physical Activity Support for Adults and Youth From Low-Income Communities: Single-Arm Pilot Study.
Jordan A Carlson1, Frank Materia2,3, Mallory Moon1
1Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, United States.
JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth
|June 5, 2026
Summary
A mobile health (mHealth) intervention using wearable devices and personalized text messages was feasible and acceptable for low-income adults and youth. The program showed promise for increasing physical activity, especially for those less active.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Digital Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are increasingly popular but under-researched in low-income populations.
- Few studies integrate wearable devices with automated, personalized messaging for physical activity in these communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the feasibility and acceptability of a wearable-integrated mHealth intervention for adults and youth in low-income urban settings.
- To gather preliminary evidence on the intervention's impact on physical activity behavior.
Main Methods:
- A 7-week single-arm, pre-post study involving 83 adults and 31 youth from low-income urban communities.
- Utilized a Garmin activity monitor and automated, personalized text messages (4 days/week) with behavior change techniques.
- Assessed feasibility (enrollment, retention, adherence) and acceptability (surveys, message response).
Main Results:
- High enrollment (64-63%) and retention (70-84%) rates were observed.
- Participants showed high adherence to wearing the device (79-82%) and acceptability (83-100%).
- Preliminary analysis suggested potential for increased daily steps, particularly for highly engaged participants and those less active at baseline.
Conclusions:
- Wearable-integrated mHealth interventions are feasible and acceptable for low-income adults and youth.
- The intervention shows promise for supporting physical activity, especially in individuals with lower baseline activity levels.
- Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is warranted to optimize and evaluate these interventions in parent-child dyads and this population.
