Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Departments of Nutrition Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 Pediatrics, Child Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non‑communicable Disease
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Little information is available on the use of text messages through
mobile phones to address overweight/obesity in children. This study aims to evaluate the impact
of a text message‑based intervention for weight control and health‑promoting lifestyle behaviors of
overweight/obese children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi‑experimental study was conducted among
overweight/obese school students. Data on sociodemographic, dietary intake, sleep, sedentary
behavior, physical activity (PA), and anthropometry were collected before and after the intervention.
Weight and height were examined according to the standard protocols. The intervention was consisted
of tailored messages for weight control and healthy lifestyle, including diet, PA, sedentary behavior,
and sleep. Child attitude and his practice were asked before and after the intervention. The paired
t‑test was performed to compare means of continuous variables before and after the intervention for
normal distribution data. The Wilcoxon test was also used for nonnormal data.
RESULTS: A total of 71 boy students were included in the study (62% obese). The mean age was
10.07 years. The means of attitude score for PA, nutrition, and sleep after intervention were greater
than before it, but it was significant only for PA. The mean of nighttime sleep duration of students after
the intervention was significantly less. Furthermore, unhealthy score decreases after the intervention.
CONCLUSION: Three‑month lifestyle intervention as text messages had positive effects on the
nutritional intake of obese children and their attitudes toward PA, but no effect on child body mass
index.
Keywords
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