About the Study Team

STEP Together is a research study investigating ways to promote physical activity among families in and around Philadelphia. The study is led by Drs. Karen Glanz and Ryan Greysen at the University of Pennsylvania and is funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

While the STEP Together study is still active, it is no longer accepting new participants.

During recruitment, the STEP Together study enrolled families in the Philadelphia area who wanted to become more active. The study provided Fitbits to these participants to wear every day for 18 months to track their step counts as well as activity levels, heart rate, and sleep. Families were then randomly assigned to one of three physical activity programs. At the start of the study, participants selected a daily step goal to improve their average step count.

Participants who are active in the study receive daily text messages about whether they met their step goal the previous day. The study also asks participants to complete surveys at enrollment and at 6, 12, and 18 months after they begin the study. Families participate in the study for a total of 18 months.