title: Chronic disease risks and use of a smartphone application during a physical activity and dietary intervention in Australian truck drivers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined chronic disease risks and the use of a smartphone activity tracking application during an intervention in Australian truck drivers (April-October 2014).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four men (mean age=47.5 [SD 9.8] years) completed baseline health measures, and were subsequently offered access to a free wrist-worn activity tracker and smartphone application (Jawbone UP) to monitor step counts and dietary choices during a 20-week intervention. Chronic disease risks were evaluated against guidelines; weekly step count and dietary logs registered by drivers in the application were analysed to evaluate use of the Jawbone UP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chronic disease risks were high (e.g. 97% high waist circumference [≥ 94 cm]). Eighteen drivers (41%) did not start the intervention; smartphone technical barriers were the main reason for drop out. Across 20-weeks, drivers who used the Jawbone UP logged step counts for an average of 6 [SD 1] days/week; mean step counts remained consistent across the intervention (weeks 1-4=8,743[SD 2,867] steps/day; weeks 17-20=8,994[SD 3,478] steps/day). The median number of dietary logs significantly decreased from start (17 [IQR 38] logs/weeks) to end of the intervention (0 [IQR 23] logs/week; p<0.01); the median proportion of healthy diet choices relative to total diet choices logged increased across the intervention (weeks 1-4=38[IQR 21]%; weeks 17-20=58[IQR 18]%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Step counts were more successfully monitored than dietary choices in those drivers who used the Jawbone UP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smartphone technology facilitated active living and healthy dietary choices, but also prohibited intervention engagement in a number of these high-risk Australian truck drivers.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland.
authors.forename: Nicholas D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Gilson
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland.
authors.forename: Toby G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Pavey
authors.affiliation: School for Human Health and Social Science, Central Queensland University.
authors.forename: Corneel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vandelanotte
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, New South Wales.
authors.forename: Mitch J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland.
authors.forename: Sjaan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Gomersall
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology.
authors.forename: Stewart G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Trost
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland.
authors.forename: Wendy J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001334:Automobile Driving; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D015438:Health Behavior; D058015:Health Communication / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000068997:Smartphone
keywords: chronic diseases; smartphones; truck drivers