What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cohort. Population: Physical inactivity and overweight/obesity (n=69219). Intervention: Stepathlon mHealth intervention. Primary outcome: Step count (MD 3519, 95% CI 3484 to 3553, p=< 0.0001).

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the feasibility and impact of Stepathlon, a low-cost, mass-participation mobile health intervention, on physical activity, daily sitting time, and weight among employees worldwide.

May 8, 2026Journal of the American College of Cardiology

International Mobile-Health Intervention on Physical Activity, Sitting, and Weight

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

The Stepathlon mHealth intervention was associated with significant improvements in step count (+3,519 steps/day; 95% CI: 3,484 to 3,553; p<0.0001), sitting duration, and weight.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the feasibility and impact of Stepathlon, a low-cost, mass-participation mobile health intervention, on physical activity, daily sitting time, and weight among employees worldwide.

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Key result

Stepathlon mHealth program is linked to ~3,500 more daily steps plus improved sitting and weight.

MD +3519
95% CI 3484 to 3553
P<0.0001
n=69,219

Why the study?

The feasibility and effect of a globally distributed, large-scale, mass-participation mHealth implementation targeting physical inactivity and overweight/obesity had not been investigated.

Does a mass-participation mHealth intervention improve physical activity, sitting duration, and weight in a global worksite-based cohort?

Key Points

To evaluate the feasibility and impact of Stepathlon, a low-cost, mass-participation mobile health intervention, on physical activity, daily sitting time, and weight among employees worldwide.
Conducted a prospective interventional assessment of adults completing Stepathlon, a 100-day workplace event across 2012, 2013, and 2014 (ACTRN12615001310550).
Enrolled N=69,219 participants from 481 employers across 1,481 cities in 64 countries (mean age 36 ± 9 years; 23.9% female; 92.0% in lower-middle-income countries).
Organized employees into worksite teams using pedometers and an interactive multiplatform mobile and web application to record activity, analyzed according to a pre-specified plan.
Participants significantly increased daily steps (+3,519 steps/day; 95% CI: 3,484 to 3,553 steps/day; p < 0.0001) and weekly exercise days (+0.89 days; 95% CI: 0.87 to 0.92 days; p < 0.0001).
Sitting duration decreased by -0.74 hours/day (95% CI: -0.78 to -0.71 h; p < 0.0001) and body weight decreased by -1.45 kg (95% CI: -1.53 to -1.38 kg; p < 0.0001).
Outcomes replicated across all three annual cohorts and demographics, with step increases, exercise gains, and sitting reductions all serving as independent predictors of weight loss (all p < 0.0001).

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=69,219)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Does a mass-participation mHealth intervention improve physical activity, sitting duration, and weight in a global worksite-based cohort?

Population

69,219 participants (mean age 36, 23.9% female) across 64 countries who completed the 100-day Stepathlon mHealth program.

Exposure

Stepathlon, an annual 100-day global event using pedometers and an interactive multiplatform application to encourage increased daily steps and physical activity.

Outcome

Physical activity (step count, exercise days), sitting duration, and weight after 100 days.surrogate

Main Result

Mean Difference: 3519 (95% CI 3484–3553)

p-value: p=< 0.0001

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Implication

A globally distributed, 100-day mHealth lifestyle intervention significantly improved physical activity, reduced sitting time, and promoted weight loss across diverse populations.

Cite This Study

Ganesan et al. (2016) conducted a cohort in Physical inactivity and overweight/obesity (n=69,219). Stepathlon mHealth intervention was evaluated on Step count (MD 3519, 95% CI 3484 to 3553, p=< 0.0001). The Stepathlon mHealth intervention was associated with significant improvements in step count (+3,519 steps/day; 95% CI: 3,484 to 3,553; p<0.0001), sitting duration, and weight.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69fdaa82a57f1b069b22ee3f https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2016.03.472

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Implication

A globally distributed, 100-day mHealth lifestyle intervention significantly improved physical activity, reduced sitting time, and promoted weight loss across diverse populations.

International Mobile-Health Intervention on Physical Activity, Sitting, and Weight

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

International Mobile-Health Intervention on Physical Activity, Sitting, and Weight

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider