Stay Strong: A Physical Activity Program for Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans

Stay Strong: A Physical Activity Program for Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans

This project is Project three of a four project Prevention Coaching Lab CREATE grant entitled "Transforming Prevention into Action" aimed at effectively engaging patients and their families to improve their health and medical care.

This project will test the feasibility and effectiveness of the prevention focused, internet mediated healthy lifestyle Stay Strong program tailored to the needs, preferences and demographics of OEF/OIF/OND Veterans.

Veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq (OEF/OIF/OND) are at high risk for becoming overweight and obese. However, existing VA programs are not designed for younger Veterans who are comfortable with technology-mediated interventions, may not yet have developed obesity-related illnesses, and contain a relatively high percentage of women compared to previous Veteran cohorts. Technology-mediated lifestyle interventions that include continuous, objective home monitoring of physical activity, automated internet mediated feedback, and e-coaching increase physical activity and improve weight loss in non-Veteran populations. When delivered on a large scale, such interventions represent low cost but effective alternatives to face-to-face lifestyle change interventions that can be implemented widely in the VA health care system. Thus, this project will test the feasibility and effectiveness of the prevention focused, internet-mediated healthy lifestyle physical activity program, Stay Strong w/coaching, tailored to the needs, preferences and demographics of OEF/OIF/OND Veterans. Specifically, Stay Strong w/coaching relies on use of a wearable device, the Fitbit Charge 2, and incorporates coaching support, tailored messages, and personalized physical activity goals. Stay Strong w/coaching will be compared to the use of the Fitbit Charge 2 with standard online support (Stay Strong).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. OEF/OIF/OND Veteran
2. Can identify a VA Medical Center and VA Health Care Provider responsible for his/her care in the system
3. Interested in starting a physical activity program in the next 30 days
4. Access to a computer with an internet connection and a working USB port.
5. A smartphone running a compatible iOS or Android operating system.
6. Younger than Age 65

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Veteran self-reports that a health care provider has told the patient that it is currently unsafe to exercise in an unsupervised or unmonitored setting. (Can become eligible with written medical clearance).
2. History of eating disorders or a BMI < 20
3. Not competent to consent to a research study by self-reporting a legal guardian who makes medical decisions for the Veteran.