Feasibility and Acceptability of a Culturally Tailored Website to Increase Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Physical Activity Levels in African American Mother-Child Dyads: Observational Study

Examining current physical activity interventions in Black school-age children and parents: A systematic review

Obesity is prevalent in Black children and adults; increasing physical activity (PA) can aid in reducing childhood obesity in both age groups. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine current research on PA interventions in school-age Black children. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in six databases for PA interventions in Black children. A total of 13 articles met inclusion criteria (n = 7 randomized controlled trial, n = 5 quasi-experimental, n = 1 cross-sectional). The majority of the articles were on a combination of diet and PA programs (n = 9). Four articles targeted PA and parental role modeling of PA as the outcome showing positive intervention effects. Nine additional studies included PA as an outcome variable along with at least one additional obesity-related predictor. PA interventions for Black school-age children typically use a parent-child dyadic approach (n = 13), are guided by theory (n = 11) and are high quality. However, continued investigation is warranted to draw definitive conclusions and determine how to best involve parents within the PA interventions. Theory-driven higher quality trials that clearly describe the structured PA component and outcomes among Black parent-child dyads are needed.

Adolescent Peer Influence on Eating Behaviors via Social Media: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

The influence of social media among adolescent peer groups can be a powerful change agent.

OBJECTIVE

Our scoping review aimed to elucidate the ways in which social media use among adolescent peers influences eating behaviors.

METHODS

A scoping review of the literature of articles published from journal inception to 2019 was performed by searching PubMed (ie, MEDLINE), Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and other databases. The review was conducted in three steps: (1) identification of the research question and clarification of criteria using the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) framework; (2) selection of articles from the literature using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines; and (3) charting and summarizing information from selected articles. PubMed's Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and Embase's Emtree subject headings were reviewed along with specific keywords to construct a comprehensive search strategy. Subject headings and keywords were based on adolescent age groups, social media platforms, and eating behaviors. After screening 1387 peer-reviewed articles, 37 articles were assessed for eligibility. Participant age, gender, study location, social media channels utilized, user volume, and content themes related to findings were extracted from the articles.

RESULTS

Six articles met the final inclusion criteria. A final sample size of 1225 adolescents (aged 10 to 19 years) from the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Brazil, and Australia were included in controlled and qualitative studies. Instagram and Facebook were among the most popular social media platforms that influenced healthful eating behaviors (ie, fruit and vegetable intake) as well as unhealthful eating behaviors related to fast food advertising. Online forums served as accessible channels for eating disorder relapse prevention among youth. Social media influence converged around four central themes: (1) visual appeal, (2) content dissemination, (3) socialized digital connections, and (4) adolescent marketer influencers.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescent peer influence in social media environments spans the spectrum of healthy eating (ie, pathological) to eating disorders (ie, nonpathological). Strategic network-driven approaches should be considered for engaging adolescents in the promotion of positive dietary behaviors.

Examining Whether the Social Cognitive Theory Concepts Predict Childhood Obesity Prevention Outcome Expectations

The social cognitive theory (SCT) has been used to explain and promote childhood obesity prevention behaviors. We examined whether the SCT concepts predicted outcome expectations of childhood obesity among the children of African American caregivers. Caregivers (n  = 128) completed the childhood obesity perceptions paper-based survey. A multiple linear regression was conducted to determine the direct effects of moral disengagement, environment, self-efficacy, and behavioral capability on outcome expectations (p < .05). A mediation analysis using a bootstrapping bias correction method was used to test whether self-efficacy and behavioral capability mediated the effect of moral disengagement and environment on outcome expectations. Caregivers reported high levels of moral disengagement (M = 4.13; standard deviation [SD] = 0.70) and self-efficacy (M = 4.26; SD = 0.64) and moderate levels of behavioral capability (M = 2.83; SD = 0.75) and environment (M = 2.92; SD = 0.74). Findings indicated the hypothesized relationships in the SCT were not fully supported. In addition, the indirect effects of environment on outcome expectations were not statistically significantly mediated by behavioral capability. This research warrants more attention in testing the SCT concepts for the development of childhood obesity prevention efforts that prioritize African American families in rural communities.