Developing a Social Media Resource to Promote Physical Activity in Teenage Girls

Original Editor - Iain Berry, Catherine Muir, Carol Newlands, Helen Power, Melanie Reis, John Watt as part of the QMU Current and Emerging Roles in Physiotherapy Practice Project

Top Contributors - Melanie Reis, John Watt, Carol Newlands, Iain Berry, Helen Power, Catherine Muir, Kim Jackson, Admin, 127.0.0.1, Michelle Lee and Alicia Fernandes  

Package Aims[edit | edit source]

This wiki resource is designed primarily for physiotherapists who are actively seeking to increase participation in physical activity through the use of social media. While this resource has focused on promoting physical activity in teenage females and has centred on the social networking site ‘Facebook’, it is hoped that the principles highlighted will be of benefit to any health professional or wider body, seeking to promote health and wellbeing, regardless of the targeted demographic or facet of social media adopted.


The wide ranging physical, social and psychological benefits that can be gained from physical activity are well documented, despite this, participation levels in teenage females remain low. This resource specifically aims to address this issue. Conventional methods of promoting the benefits of physical activity appear to be failing this group, therefore it is believed that the emerging growth in social media can be a useful and productive method of engagement with this demographic.


This resource is not designed to be a ‘how-to-guide’ or ‘blueprint’ to expanding social media, it is however designed to make the user aware of some of the numerous issues that revolve around developing social media as an organic and interactive medium to promote health and wellbeing. It is hoped that this resource will act as a useful tool to the user in developing their own individual resource, as a template for potential in-service education and as a constructive part of the users continuing professional development.


Learning Outcomes[edit | edit source]

By the end of this resource the user will be able to:

  • Justify and critique the need for health promotion and increased physical activity for teenage females.
  • Critically evaluate the current guidelines regarding physical activity in young people.
  • Analyse participation and physical activity levels in teenage females.
  • Critically evaluate social media as a medium by which to engage teenage females.
  • Develop a social media resource aimed at promoting physical activity for teenage females.
  • Synthesise appropriate information required to create a social media resource for this population.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of this resource relative to its aims.


Current Guidelines[edit | edit source]

In 2011 Start Active, Stay Actice [1] was published in conjunction with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety; The Scottish Government; Welsh Government; and the Department of Health. This UK wide document presents guidelines on the amount, duration, frequency and manner of physical activity required across various age related demographics to achieve general health benefits.


This report from all four Chief Medical Officers across the UK is aimed at a range of organisations (inclusive of, but not limited to the NHS and local authorities) whose intension is to design services to promote physical activity. The document was formulated for policymakers, professionals and practitioners whose aim is to devise and effectuate policies and measures that employs the promotion of physical activity, sport and exercise in order to achieve health gains.


Start Active, Stay Active [1] highlighted three guidelines specifically aimed at children and young people (5-18 years) irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic background: 

1. All children and young people should engage in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for at least 60 minutes and up to several hours every day.
2. Vigorous intensity activities, including those that strengthen muscle and bone, should be incorporated at least three days a week.
3. All children and young people should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for extended periods.

Types of activities recommended by Start Active, Stay Active: [1]


  • Unstructured (children)

Indoor or outdoor play, active travel.

  • Unstructured (young people)

Social dancing, active travel, household chores, temporary work.

  • Structured (children and young people)

Organised, small-sided games with equipment that maximises sucess (large racquets, low nets, big balls etc).

Educational instruction (through teaching and coaching) that promotes skill learning and development.

Sport and dance.

  • Muscle strengthening and bone health (children) Activities that require children to lift their body weight or to do work against a resistance.

Jumping and climbing activities, combined with the use of large apparatus and toys, would be categorised as strength promoting exercise.

  • Muscle strengthening and bone health (young people)

Resistance -type exercise during high intensity sport, dance, water-based activities or weight (resistance) training in adult-type gyms.


Evidence Base Regarding Current Guidelines[edit | edit source]

Significant evidence, composed of both observational and experimental research, suggests that regular involvement in physical activity among children and young people offers benefits for physical and psychological well-being both in the short and long term. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title
With specific reference to the guidelines highlighted by Start Active, Stay Active, [1] greater levels of physical activity have been shown to be associated with more positive health related outcomes in studies which reported improvements in health related measures as a result of exercise based interventions. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Equally, although some health benefits have been reported as a result of only 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every day, it has been suggested that this should be implemented as a ‘stepping-stone’ towards the optimal level of 60 minutes. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title


Physical activity of vigorous intensity has been shown to improve components of health such as cardiorespiratory fitness, bone strength and muscular strength. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title More recent evidence Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title suggests that the optimum amount of physical activity required to improve bone health may be greater than previously understood, Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title this is reflected in the guidelines as an increase from twice to three times per week. The current evidence Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title suggests that extended sedentary behavior is an independent risk factor for reduced health and correlates strongly with obesity/overweight and metabolic dysfunction although the evidence does not offer any specific maximum/minimum recommended periods of sedentary behavior.


Other guidelines specifically addressing physical activity and teenagers include NICE Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title and WHO. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Equally, specific mention at this point should be made to the The Scottish Allied Health Professions Directors (AHPD) ‘Pledge to Increase Physical Activity in Scotland.’ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title This pledge, aimed at all allied health professionals, seeks to increase the level of physical activity in Scotland, importantly this pledge specifically makes reference to the use of social media:


    “Use social media opportunities to promote the Pledge and physical activity.” Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title


The evidence behind the AHPD ‘Pledge to Increase Physical Activity in Scotland’ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title is summarised in this YOUTUBE clip: 

 Carol - Dropout   [edit | edit source]

== In Scotland, by the time females have reached the age of 18, 40% dropout of all sports activity[2]. It is well documented in the literature that sport dropout rates of teenage girls exceed that of boys the same age[3]. The Scottish Government’s 2020 healthcare vision recognises Scotland’s population is living longer. This demographic change will place an increased strain on healthcare budgets. The vision also recognises the need to focus on prevention. Targeting teenage females to increase their physical activity is a necessary health prevention measure to help ensure the health of the future work force and reducing the demand on the health service[4].

Decreased physical activity has a whirlwind of consequences. Individuals not reaching the current guidelines of prescribed amount and type of weekly   physical   activity   are   more   prone   to   coronary   heart   disease, osteoporosis, type two diabetes, hypertension, obesity, non- specific low back pain as well as an increased prevalence of cancer[2].

Exercise   also   promotes   psychological   and   social   wellbeing.   The psychological benefits include increased self-esteem, confidence and body image perception along with decreased stress, depression and anxiety. Developing team-working skills, increased sexual health and academic performance are included in some of the social advantages. Studies have also   demonstrated   that   exercise   can   reduce   the   likelihood   of   teens engaging in anti-social behaviour[2].

Health promotion is a vital component of the role of a physiotherapist (CSP, 2013). The current system of health promotion of physical wellbeing aimed at teenage girls does not appear to be working. There is a need for new, innovative strategies to decrease this high level of dropout rates and improve the health of such individuals not only for the present but also for the future (NHS Scotland, 2013, Sports Scotland, 2013).

Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing:

“ Everyone who is involved in the delivery of healthcare in Scotland is asked to play their part in making this vision a reality and to live the values that are shared across Scotland’s Health Service to guide the way they work and decisions they take” (NHS Scotland, 2013).

 What Can Be Done? [edit | edit source]

Creating a Facebook Page - A step by step guide[edit | edit source]

Facebook users have to register and create a personal profile, after which they can connect or “become friends” with other users, exchange messages and become members of groups or followers of pages. Based on a survey of 4,000 physicians, 61 % of them use Facebook for personal; and 15 % of them use it for professional purposes. Moreover, 33 % of physicians have received friend requests from their patients on Facebook and only 75 % of them declined the request (Mesko, 2013). Therefore, it may be useful to create a separate professional profile before creating any page or group.


The purpose of a Facebook Group is to provide a place for small group communication and for people to share their common interests and express their opinion (Pineda, 2010). Conversely, Facebook Pages are useful for businesses, organisations and brands to share their stories and connect with people. Pages can be customised by adding apps, posting stories, hosting events and more. People who like your Page and their friends will get updates in News Feed. You cancreate and manage a Facebook Pagefrom your professional account. Below is a guide on how to achieve this

 How to Create a New Facebook Page[edit | edit source]

In creating a Facebook Page you need to first decide on a topic or idea to centre the page around. For the purposes of this resource we have decided to focus on health provision in teenage girls in the Midlothian region of Scotland.

Once you have decided on the topic, you can then create the page on Facebook by following these steps:


1. Log in to your Facebook account and click on the ‘create a Page’ option in the sidebar.

2. Take a look at the main categories of the Pages and decide which one fits your resource. Click on one of the boxes to select that main category for your resource and browse through the categories in the drop-down menus to see which one fits best (we found the community option best suited our needs).


3. Enter the name of your resource and select the box next to “I agree to Facebook Pages Terms”. You will be able to change your Page name up until the point you have 200 fans (or likes), so if you aren’t sure about the name at the start, you can tweak it for a little while.


4. Add your basic ‘about’ information.  This information will appear on your page just below your cover photo. It should be noted that the ‘about’ page will be indexed in Google therefore it useful to ensure it is very descriptive and contains relevant keywords. There is also the option to link to a website if you have one at this stage. You may want to direct people to other relevant sites to such Twitter or other social media sites.


5. Add your profile picture. This image will appear next to every post that goes into the news feed from your Page so should be recognisable and associated to your resource (such as a logo).


6. Finally you have the option to advertise your page in order to reach a wider audience (if there are finances available to do so). This option can be skipped if it is not relevant to you.


7. Following this you will now have a completed Facebook Page and you will be directed to the pages admin panel. From here you receive updates about your page in a summarised form and, perhaps more importantly at this stage, can access the settings section to edit your privacy and security options.


8. By clicking on ‘edit page’ and then ‘edit settings’ you will have the options to protect your page as you see fit. It may be useful to initially ‘unpublish’ your page in order to familiarise yourself with the page and make any alterations whilst it is not able to be viewed to the public. When the page is ready it can then ‘published’ again. By carefully considering each option in this section you can ensure control of: who can post (posting ability), who can see the page (country/ age restrictions) as well as control over what is being said on your news feed (page moderation/ profanity filter).

==

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References[edit | edit source]



References will automatically be added here, see adding references tutorial.

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND PROTECTION., 2011. Start active, stay active: a report on physical activity from the four home countries' Chief Medical Officers. July.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 SPORTS SCOTLAND., (2013). Making women and Girls more Active a GoodPractice Guide [Online]. [Viewed 7 October 2013]. Available from http://www.scottishstudentsport.com/assets/downloads/making-women-and-girls-more-active.pdf
  3. ↑ WOMEN’S SPORT AND FITNESS FOUNDATION., (2008). Teenage Girls and Dropout [Online}. [Viewed October 8 2013]. Available from http://www.wsff.org.uk/system/1/assets/files/000/000/275/275/bde5b8839/original/Teenage_girls_and_dropout.pdf
  4. ↑ NHS SCOTLAND., (2013). A Route Map to the 2020 Vision for Health and Social Care [Online]. [Viewed 7 October 2013]. Available from http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0042/00423188.pdf
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