The Effects of the RANI Project on 6-Month Physical Activity Among Women Living in Rural India: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Anemia is associated with fatigue, low physical activity, and poor quality of life. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a field trial on 6-month change in anemia and physical activity among nonpregnant women living in rural India. Methods: The Reduction in Anemia through Normative Innovations (RANI) Project is a cluster randomized controlled trial of a social norms-based intervention to reduce anemia among women (15?49 years). Participants (n?=?292) performed a modified Queen's College Step Test (QCST) and wore an ActivPAL accelerometer for 3 days. Hemoglobin concentrations (g/dL) were determined using a HemoCue 301 photometer. Linear regression tested the effects of the intervention on 6-month change in hemoglobin and physical activity, while adjusting for age, body mass index, education, parity, and predicted VO2max. Results: We observed no differences in hemoglobin (11.8???1.2 vs.11.6???1.4?g/dL) or overall physical activity (36.6???2.1 vs. 35.3???5.8 metabolic equivalent of task-hours/day) at 6 months between the treatment and control groups, respectively. In contrast, steps/day was significantly higher in the treatment, compared with the control group (??=?1353.83; 95% confidence interval: 372.46, 2335.31), independent of other covariables. Conclusion: The potential to modify walking and other health-seeking behaviors using a social norms approach is worthy of further investigation among women living in rural India. Clinical Trial Registry ? India: CTRI/2018/10/016186.

Keywords

• behavioral science
• community-based research
• fitness
• gender
• intervention study