Table 2.

Text message examples used to represent the style of text messages sent in the high intensity maintenance period.

Question to adolescents	Example text message	Examples of adolescent responsesa
What did you think of messages that asked you a question?	What was your sedentary behavior goal for today? Did you achieve your goal?	For Monday to Fridays, it’s a bit hard because we have loads of double periods…and we’re sitting down for long periods of time so we’ve kinda destroyed our sedentary goal. [Adolescent 12 (A12)]
What did you think of messages that reminded you about why being healthy was important?	Do you remember that the benefits of being more active include having a healthier heart and body chemistry, feeling less tired, sleeping better, being happier, and thinking better?	Yeah. It helps you because it asks you a question but it instantly answers it for you. [A4] It’s good to remember. Feeling less tired would be good. [A2]
What did you think of the ‘big picture’ messages?	Remember the key messages of CAFAP are: eat more fruit and veg, eat less junk food, be less inactive, and be more active.	It actually like reminds you that you’re like on Earth and you’re sitting there playing video games…And I’ve gotta like do stuff and be proactive like normal people. [A9]
What did you think of the messages that gave you healthy tips?	Think about how many veggies u had today. If u had less than your goal, try to add in 1 more piece tomorrow. How about some veggie sticks with one of the yummy dips u made at CAFAP?	It was helpful. I often followed the tips. [A8] I found it good because I wouldn’t think of something like that. [A6]
What did you think of the messages that included ideas from other teenagers?	Some teenagers have told us that cut up fruit salad for recess helps them reach their healthy eating goals. What about taking some tomorrow?	These sound like healthy teenagers and sometimes I get a bit annoyed because I’m jealous. They have a better state of mind than me. [A4]
What do you think about messages that are about what not to do?	Don’t eat junk food today or don’t spend the afternoon lying on the couch.b	If you tell someone not to do something, they’re just going to do it, everyone knows that. [A5]

^aAdolescents were assigned a code to distinguish between responders. The code ranges from A1-A12.

^bThis text message was created to be tested in the focus groups based on current literature [17] but was not actually used in the intervention.