FITT Exercise Counseling With Interactive Accelerometry and Physical Activity in Adolescents at Increased Risk of Early Cardiovascular Disease: A Pilot Study

FITT Exercise Counseling With Interactive Accelerometry and Physical Activity in Adolescents at Increased Risk of Early Cardiovascular Disease: A Pilot Study

This pilot study seeks to compare the change in energy expenditure and fitness levels of patients seen in the Children's Hospital Preventive Cardiology program receiving standard of care provider exercise counseling to similar patients receiving Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type (FITT) exercise prescription and counseling combined with BodyMedia supported by an online interactive tool.

The investigators primary hypothesis is that this interactive technology coupled with support from a exercise specialist will increase the energy expenditure of the investigators patients over standard of care provider counseling.

The investigators Secondary hypotheses include greater improvement in measured physical fitness Peak oxygen consumption (VO2max), oxygen consumption (VO2) at anaerobic threshold (AT) and ventilation/carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2) slope, lipid profiles, blood pressure, arterial stiffness, body mass index (BMI), BMI percentile, and self-efficacy in the intervention group compared to control.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients at increased risk of atherosclerosis based on lipid profiles (Total Cholesterol > 199 mg/dL, High Density Lipoprotein < 40 mg/dL, LDL > 129 mg/dL, blood pressure (Systolic Blood Pressure or Diastolic Blood Pressure > 90th percentile), obesity (>85%Body Mass Index)
2. Ages 13-21 years
3. Reporting an average of less than 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous exercise most (5) days of the week.
4. Regular access to the internet with the capacity to download the device
5. Commitment on the part of a parent to supervise internet access as part of this protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unable to exercise based on physician recommendations or medical conditions
2. Unable/unwilling to complete requirements of the research study including consent and assent.
3. Not proficient in English