OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the acceptance of the ChildSafe smartphone app intervention by parents/guardians.
METHODS: This study was conducted using a qualitative exploratory approach on selected participants of the ChildSafe intervention app study. A total of 27 semistructured in-depth interviews were carried out among parents or guardians who have at least one child between the age of 0 and 59 months in the area of Sungai Buloh, Selangor, between November 2017 and March 2018. Interview questions were developed from the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR). Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and data were thematically analyzed guided by CFIR.
RESULTS: The study revealed users' perception on usability, feasibility, and acceptability toward the ChildSafe app. Three CFIR domains were identified: intervention characteristics, inner setting, and characteristics of individuals. A total of 5 constructs were revealed under intervention characteristics: evidence strength and quality, relative advantage, adaptability, trialability, and design quality and packaging; 2 under inner setting: implementation climate and readiness for implementation; and 4 under characteristics of individuals: knowledge and beliefs about the intervention, self-efficacy, individual stage of change, and other personal attributes. In general, participants felt the app is extremely useful and effective, easy to use, and purposeful in achieving home safety assessment via reminders. The app replaces the need for participants to search for information on home safety and dangers, as the app itself was designed as a tool to assess for this specific purpose. Even at the nascent stage and despite its limitations, the app has prompted users to consider and make changes around their own home. However, future versions of the app should be expanded to make it more attractive to users as it lacks interactive feedback and additional features.
CONCLUSIONS: Parents/guardians are accepting the use of the ChildSafe app to prevent child injury at home. However, further expansion and improvements are needed to increase the acceptability of this app by parents/guardians.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of video and computer game use among US adolescents and rates of positive screens for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure (BP), and high cholesterol.
METHODS: A secondary data analysis was conducted using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) data, including adolescents aged 12 to 19 years between 1994 and 2018.
RESULTS: Respondents (n=4190) who played the most video and computer games had a significantly (P=.02) higher BMI and were more likely to self-report having at least one of the evaluated metabolic disorders: obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2), diabetes, high BP (BP >140/90), and high cholesterol (>240). With increased video or computer game use, there was a statistically significant increase in high BP rates in each quartile, with those with more frequent use also having higher rates of high BP. A similar trend was observed for diabetes, though the association did not reach statistical significance. No significant association was observed between video or computer game use and diagnoses of dyslipidemia, eating disorders, or depression.
CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of video and computer game use is associated with obesity, diabetes, high BP, and high cholesterol in adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. Adolescents who play the most video and computer games have a significantly higher BMI. They are more likely to have at least one of the evaluated metabolic disorders: diabetes, high BP, or high cholesterol. Public health interventions designed to target modifiable disease states through health promotion and self-management may support the health of adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. Video and computer games can integrate health promotion interventions in gameplay. This is an important area for future research as video and computer games are integrated into the lives of adolescents.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the accuracy of MEDAL in assessing the dietary intake of Malaysian school children, using photographs of the children's meals taken by their parents as an objective reference.
METHODS: A convenience sample of 46 children aged 10 to 11 years recorded their daily meals in MEDAL for 4 days (2 weekdays and 2 weekend days). Their parents took photographs of the meals and snacks of their children before and after consumption during the 4-day period and sent them along with a brief description of food and drinks consumed via an instant SMS text messaging app. The accuracy of the children's reports of the food they had consumed was determined by comparing their MEDAL reports to the photographs of the food sent by their parents.
RESULTS: Overall, the match, omission, and intrusion rates were 62% (IQR 46%-86%), 39% (IQR 16%-55%), and 20% (IQR 6%-44%), respectively. Carbohydrate-based items from the food categories "rice and porridge"; "breads, spreads, and cereals"; and "noodles, pasta, and potatoes" were reported most accurately (total match rates: 68%-76%). "Snack and dessert" items were omitted most often (omission rate: 54%). Furthermore, side dishes from "vegetables and mushrooms," "eggs and tofu," "meat and fish," and "curry" food groups were often omitted (omission rates: 42%-46%). Items from "milk, cheese, and yogurt"; "snacks and desserts"; and "drinks" food groups intruded most often (intrusion rates: 37%-46%). Compared to the items reported by the boys, those reported by the girls had higher match rates (69% vs 53%) and lesser omission rates (31% vs 49%; P=.03, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, children aged 10 to 11 years can self-report all their meals in MEDAL, although some items are omitted or intruded. Therefore, MEDAL is a tool that can be used to assess the dietary intake of Malaysian school children.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an e-book in increasing knowledge about and promoting healthy practices related to bone health among Malay adolescents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
METHODS: A total of 72 adolescents (female: n=51, 71%; age: mean 15, SD 0.74 y) were recruited from selected secondary schools. The participants answered a pretest web-based questionnaire on sociodemographic data, knowledge about osteoporosis, and physical activity. A video call was conducted to assess dietary calcium intake. Participants were provided with a link to an e-book on bone health and instructed to read it within 2 weeks. Postintervention assessments included those for knowledge, physical activity, dietary calcium intake, and acceptance of the e-book.
RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the median knowledge score, which was 40.6% (IQR 31.3%-46.9%) during the pretest and 71.9% (IQR 53.9%-81.3%) during the posttest (P