title: Use of a Wearable Activity Device in Rural Older Obese Adults: A Pilot Study.
abstract: Objective:Assess the feasibility and acceptability of Fitbit for supporting behavioral change in rural, older adults with obesity.Method:Eight adults aged ≥65 with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30kg/m2were recruited from a rural practice and provided a Fitbit Zip device for 30 days. Participants completed validated questionnaires/interviews.Results:Mean age was 73.4 ± 4.0 years (50% female) with a mean BMI of 34.5 ± 4.5kg/m2. We observed reductions in exercise confidence (sticking to it: 34.5 ± 3.3 to 30.9 ± 4.3,p= .04; making time: 18.9 ± 1.3 to 17.0 ± 2.6,p= .03) but no changes in patient activation (45.4 ± 4.3 vs. 45.0 ± 3.9). All reported high satisfaction, seven (87.5%) found Fitbit easy to use, and five (62.5%) found the feedback useful. The majority (n= 6 [75.0%]) were mostly/very satisfied with the intervention. Consistent themes emerged regarding the benefit of self-monitoring and participant motivation. Common concerns included finding time to exercise and lack of a peer group.Conclusion:Use of Fitbit is feasible/acceptable for use among older rural obese adults but may lead to reduced confidence.
authors.affiliation: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA; The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH, USA.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Batsis
authors.affiliation: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA; The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH, USA.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Naslund
authors.affiliation: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA; The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH, USA.
authors.forename: Lydia E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.affiliation: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Masutani
authors.affiliation: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA.
authors.forename: Nayan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.affiliation: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA; The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bartels
keywords: activity tracking; behavior change; mHealth; obesity; rural; wearable device