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210911 Innovative technological approaches to assessment and intervention in physical activity and diet (overview)Monday, November 9, 2009: 9:29 AM
Advances in computer, Internet, and wireless technologies have created extraordinary opportunities for assessment and intervention in physical activity and diet. Ambulatory electronic devices such as personal digital assistants (PDA's), mobile phones, global positioning systems (GPS), and other technologies can measure activity levels and nutritional intake in real time and generate tailored feedback information for users. Portable electronic systems can also collect self-report and objective assessments of influential psychosocial (e.g., mood, stress), physiological (e.g., pain, heart rate, galvanic skin response), and contextual (e.g., physical location, social company) factors. In the realm of behavioral intervention, rapidly-evolving technologies such as the Internet and interactive video games can promote activity and healthy eating in an enticing and cost-effective manner. There is growing evidence that behavior change programs delivered through the Internet, mobile phones, and other technologies are effective. Yet, a number of methodological, logistic, and economic challenges may limit the evaluation and dissemination of these strategies. This invited session will showcase examples of innovative technological approaches to measure and modify physical activity and diet. Presenters from both research and industry backgrounds will demonstrate and discuss how Internet, video games, PDA's, mobile phones and other technologies can be used. Evaluation results will be presented when applicable. Presenters will also discuss methods of overcoming challenges to using these technologies in research and practice. The session will be held in the APHA Film & Technology Theatre to facilitate interactive and hands-on learning. The session will last approximately 1.5 hours, with 1 hour for presentations and 30 minutes for interactive demonstrations.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Genevieve Dunton is an Assistant Professor of Research in the Department of Preventive Medicine. She recently completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program within the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences at the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Dunton holds a doctoral degree in Psychology and Social Behavior with an emphasis in health psychology from the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine. She also earned an MPH degree with a focus on health promotion from the University of Southern California. The objectives of her research are to explain and promote participation in physical activity and healthy dietary behaviors in children, adults, and families. This work is guided by a social-ecological perspective of behavior change, which takes into account the interplay between environmental, social, and individual variables. Within this area, she has authored 27 peer-reviewed publications and received extramural grants from the Active Living Research Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, American Psychological Association, and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues to support her work. I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation. |
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