Trial: E-nagging can increase healthy activity

Kaiser Permanente researchers conducting a clinical trial on the impact of e-mailed reminders on diet and physical activity found gentle electronic nagging actually worked: People who received regular messages suggesting modest lifestyle improvements increased their activity level and made healthier food choices. The study, conducted in 2006 and published this week in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, is considered the first randomized, controlled study to look at the effect of e-mail on health. The results showed trial participants who received regular e-mails recommending small health goals - such as a 10-minute walk - increased activity by 55 minutes per week and decreased sedentary activity by two hours a week, as compared with those who only received one message at the onset of the study.