Chronic disease risks and use of a smartphone application during a physical activity and dietary intervention in Australian truck drivers

• Main Authors: Nicholas D. Gilson (Author), Toby G. Pavey (Author), Corneel Vandelanotte (Author), Mitch J. Duncan (Author), Sjaan R. Gomersall (Author), Stewart G. Trost (Author), Wendy J. Brown (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2016-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1753-6405; 1326-0200; 10.1111/1753-6405.12501
• Keywords: chronic diseases; smartphones; truck drivers; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, Vol 40, Iss 1, Pp 91-93 (2016)

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. Implications: Smartphone technology facilitated active living and healthy dietary choices, but also prohibited intervention engagement in a number of these high‐risk Australian truck drivers.