Use of a Text Messaging Program to Promote Adherence to Daily Physical Activity Guidelines: A Review of the Literature

Introduction: Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and is a complex health problem with many biological, environmental, and psychosocial causative factors. While there are many factors which must be addressed to combat the prevalence of obesity, increasing physical activity is an important modifiable behavior. To determine if text messaging can be used as a communication tool to promote the adherence to daily physical activity guidelines in adults, a literature review was conducted. Methods: Five databases were searched using the search terms of text messaging*, and MeSH subheadings of cellular phones, health promotion, and health behaviors. Databases were searched from the year 1950 to present, although this topic is more relevant to this century. The literature search produced 37 articles from Medline, 68 articles from CINAHL, 8 from Cochrane, and 42 from PubMed databases. Titles were then reviewed to screen out duplicates and to verify topic relevancy. An abstract review was th...