Mobile Health and Telehealth Interventions to Increase Physical Activity in Adolescents with Obesity: a Promising Approach to Engaging a Hard-to-Reach Population

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Adolescence represents a critical time to set habits for long-term health, yet adequate rates of physical activity are uncommon in this age group. Mobile technology use, however, is ubiquitous. We review advantages and challenges posed by mobile health (mHealth) and telehealth-based physical activity interventions aimed at adolescents. RECENT FINDINGS: Mobile Health (mHealth) and telehealth interventions to increase physical activity in adolescents include use of wearable activity trackers, text messages or apps, and video visits with exercise specialists. Definitions and goals for physical activity differ across interventions, and methods of activity measurement also vary. User engagement is often poor, if tracked at all. No identified studies included use of behavioral economics-informed engagement strategies. SUMMARY: Intervention designers must plan for ways to maximize engagement and to reliably measure the intended outcome. Although mHealth and telehealth interventions have advantages such as scalability and acceptability, potential pitfalls must be addressed before widespread implementation.