title: Smart-phone obesity prevention trial for adolescent boys in low-income communities: the ATLAS RCT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Active Teen Leaders Avoiding Screen-time (ATLAS) intervention for adolescent boys, an obesity prevention intervention using smartphone technology.
  
  
  METHODS
  ATLAS was a cluster randomized controlled trial conducted in 14 secondary schools in low-income communities in New South Wales, Australia. Participants were 361 adolescent boys (aged 12-14 years) considered at risk of obesity. The 20-week intervention was guided by self-determination theory and social cognitive theory and involved: teacher professional development, provision of fitness equipment to schools, face-to-face physical activity sessions, lunchtime student mentoring sessions, researcher-led seminars, a smartphone application and Web site, and parental strategies for reducing screen-time. Outcome measures included BMI and waist circumference, percent body fat, physical activity (accelerometers), screen-time, sugar-sweetened beverage intake, muscular fitness, and resistance training skill competency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, there were no significant intervention effects for BMI, waist circumference, percent body fat, or physical activity. Significant intervention effects were found for screen-time (mean ± SE: -30 ± 10.08 min/d; P = .03), sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (mean: -0.6 ± 0.26 glass/d; P = .01), muscular fitness (mean: 0.9 ± 0.49 repetition; P = .04), and resistance training skills (mean: 5.7 ± 0.67 units; P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This school-based intervention targeting low-income adolescent boys did not result in significant effects on body composition, perhaps due to an insufficient activity dose. However, the intervention was successful in improving muscular fitness, movement skills, and key weight-related behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia;
authors.forename: Jordan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia;
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia;
authors.forename: Ronald C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Plotnikoff
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia;
authors.forename: Kerry A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Dally
authors.affiliation: Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia; and.
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salmon
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Educational Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Okely
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia;
authors.forename: Tara L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Finn
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia; david.lubans@newcastle.edu.au.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lubans
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D040421:Cell Phone / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty / Q000191:economics*; D012111:Residence Characteristics
keywords: adolescent; intervention studies; obesity; physical activity; physical fitness; randomized controlled trial; schools; sedentary lifestyle