Browsing by Author "Pillay, Julian"

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    Steps that count! : The development of a pedometer-based health promotion intervention in an employed, health insured South African population
    (BioMed Central Ltd, 2012) Pillay, Julian; Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy; Proper, Karin; van Mechelen, Willem; Lambert, Estelle
    BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) has been identified as a central component in the promotion of health. PA programs can provide a low cost intervention opportunity, encouraging PA behavioral change while worksites have been shown to be an appropriate setting for implementing such health promotion programs. Along with these trends, there has been an emergence of the use of pedometers as a self-monitoring and motivational aid for PA.This study determines the effectiveness of a worksite health promotion program comprising of a 10-week, pedometer-based intervention ("Steps that Count!"), and individualized email-based feedback to effect PA behavioral change. METHODS: The study is a randomized controlled trial in a worksite setting, using pedometers and individualized email-based feedback to increase steps per day (steps/d). Participant selection will be based on attendance at a corporate wellness event and information obtained, following the completion of a Health Risk Appraisal (HRA), in keeping with inclusion criteria for the study. All participants will, at week 1 (pre-intervention), be provided with a blinded pedometer to assess baseline levels of PA. Participants will be provided with feedback on pedometer data and identify strategies to improve daily PA towards current PA recommendations. Participants will thereafter be randomly assigned to the intervention group (INT) or control group (CTL). The INT will subsequently wear an un-blinded pedometer for 10 consecutive weeks.Individualized feedback messages based on average steps per day, derived from pedometer data (INT) and general supportive/motivational messages (INT+CTL), will be provided via bi-weekly e-mails; blinded pedometer-wear will be conducted at week 12 (post-intervention: INT+CTL).DISCUSSION:The purpose of this paper is to outline the rationale behind, and the development of, an intervention aimed at improving ambulatory PA through pedometer use, combined with regular, individualized, email-based feedback. Pedometer-measured PA and individualized feedback may be a practical and easily applied intervention.TRIAL REGISTRATION:Number: DOH-27-0112-3951
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    Steps that count! : the use of pedometry for physical activity and health promotion in South Africa.
    (2013) Pillay, Julian; Lambert, EV; Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy; van Mechelen, W; Proper, KI
    Pedometers have been demonstrated as a practical tool for measurement and motivation of ambulatory physical activity, typically providing information on volume of steps/day. Recent developments in steps/day research have, however, emphasised the importance of intensity-based steps as part of steps/day recommendations. Such steps/day recommendations are also directed towards current physical activity guidelines, so as to provide further options for achieving guidelines. To complement these developments in steps/day recommendations, technological advancements in pedometry afford the opportunity to provide information on intensity-based steps/day. We therefore use this application to provide further insight into the association between pedometer-based physical activity and fitness and health outcomes. Particular reference is made to intensity-based steps/day, through a series of studies.
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    Working on wellness (WOW): A worksite health promotion intervention programme
    (BioMed Central Ltd, 2012) Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy; Proper, Karin; Lambert, Estelle; van Wier, Marieke; Pillay, Julian; Nossel, Craig; Adonis, Leegale; Van Mechelen, Willem
    BACKGROUND: Insufficient PA has been shown to cluster with other CVD risk factors including insufficient fruit and vegetable intake, overweight, increased serum cholesterol concentrations and elevated blood pressure. This paper describes the development of Working on Wellness (WOW), a worksite intervention program incorporating motivational interviewing by wellness specialists, targeting employees at risk. In addition, we describe the evaluation the effectiveness of the intervention among employees at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. METHODS: The intervention mapping (IM) protocol was used in the planning and design of WOW. Focus group discussions and interviews with employees and managers identified the importance of addressing risk factors for CVD at the worksite. Based on the employees' preference for individual counselling, and previous evidence of the effectiveness of this approach in the worksite setting, we decided to use motivational interviewing as part of the intervention strategy. Thus, as a cluster-randomised, controlled control trial, employees at increased risk for CVD (N=928) will be assigned to a control or an intervention group, based on company random allocation. The sessions will include motivational interviewing techniques, comprised of two face-to-face and four telephonic sessions, with the primary aim to increase habitual levels of PA. Measures will take place at baseline, 6 and 12months. Secondary outcomes include changes in nutritional habits, serum cholesterol and glucose concentrations, blood pressure and BMI. In addition, healthcare expenditure and absenteeism will be measured for the economic evaluation. Analysis of variance will be performed to determine whether there were significant changes in physical activity habits in the intervention and control groups at 6 and 12months.DISCUSSION:The formative work on which this intervention is based suggests that the strategy of targeting employees at increased risk for CVD is preferred. Importantly, this study extends the work of a previous, similar study, Health Under Construction, in a different setting. Finally, this study will allow an economic evaluation of the intervention that will be an important outcome for health care funders, who ultimately will be responsible for implementation of such an intervention.TRIAL REGISTRATION:United States Clinical Trails Register NCT 01494207