PEGASO - Fit For Future

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    PEGASO - Fit For Future

  • IRAS ID

    211920

  • Contact name

    Brian McKinstry

  • Contact email

    brian.mckinstry@ed.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Edinburgh

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 8 months, 20 days

  • Research summary

    Obesity in younger age is known to be linked to obesity in adulthood, but for the young person includes short term health complications along with greater risk of social and psychological problems. The PEGASO FIT FOR FUTURE project has developed a technological system including mobile applications, game components, a web site and activity sensors to motivate behaviour changes towards healthier lifestyles in adolescents.

    PEGASO is a European project which will be tested in four different centres, however, this study protocol covers UK sites only (Nottingham and Mid/West Lothian).

    The aims of PEGASO is to assess user experiences and changes in participants’ awareness and lifestyles after the use of the PEGASO system.

    This is a quasi-experimental controlled pilot study with group allocation at school level in a 2:1 ratio in favour of the intervention group. In total 225 participants aged 13-16 years will be recruited from conveniently selected secondary schools. The intervention group will get access to the PEGASO technology while the comparison group will be asked to continues their usual routine. The PEGASO system has been developed based on behaviour change theory and will provide a 6-month intervention that is personalised to the different needs of the participants for changing eating, physical activity, sleeping and sedentary behaviours.

    Between group change data of lifestyle behaviours and psycho-social determinants of behaviour changes will be collected using self-report questionnaires at baseline, after 3 and 6 months. Additionally, the PEGASO system itself will collect behavioural data on lifestyle and system use throughout the intervention period. Data on user experiences will be collected in focus groups at 3 and 6 month of the intervention.

    The PEGASO study will provide insights into (i) the usability of a novel multi-component technology system and (ii) suitability of approaches to test the effectiveness of the system in a future fully powered trial.

  • REC name

    South East Scotland REC 02

  • REC reference

    16/SS/0163

  • Date of REC Opinion

    29 Sep 2016

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion