Investigating Children's Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Using Ecological Momentary Assessment With Mobile Phones

Abstract Background and Objectives Smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methods can provide novel insights into modeling and predicting activity-related behaviors, yet many racial and ethnic minority groups report barriers to participating in mobile health research. We aim to (1) report on strategies used to successfully recruit and retain minority older adults in a smartphone-based physical activity and sedentary behavior EMA study and (2) report on participants’ perceptions of study acceptability. Research Design and Methods Researchers partnered with trusted individuals and community organizations serving older adults to facilitate recruitment for an 8-day EMA study of minority older adults’ physical activity and sedentary behavior. Additional strategies such as having experienced, culturally competent team members and available technical support were employed to further recruitment and retention efforts. A post study questionnaire assessed participants’ perceptions of study acceptability. Results In total, 123 minority older adults were recruited; 102 met inclusion criteria, 91 completed the study, and 89 completed the post-study questionnaire. The sample consisted of predominantly low-income African American women with an average age of 70 years. Responses to open-ended questions revealed the most enjoyable aspects of study participation were the ability to learn more about themselves, contribute to science and/or their community, engage in a new activity, and receive financial compensation. Participants reported the least enjoyable aspects of the study included the frequency of EMA questionnaires, apprehension of missing EMA questionnaires, carrying the smartphone, and difficulty wearing the accelerometer. Most participants (97%) expressed interest in being contacted for future studies. Discussion and Implications Low-income, older African Americans reported positive perceptions of a smartphone-based EMA study of physical activity and sedentary behavior. Findings suggest that applying demonstrated strategies to engage this population in technology-based health research can enhance recruitment and retention efforts; however, it is unclear which strategies are most effective in reducing participation barriers.

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Sedentary behavior and physical activity patterns of urban adolescents: A study using ecological momentary assessment

Science & Sports ◽

10.1016/j.scispo.2014.08.025 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. S15

Author(s):

A. Marques ◽

J. André ◽

J. Martins ◽

H. Sarmento ◽

J. Diniz

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽

Urban Adolescents ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Physical Activity Patterns ◽

Ecological Momentary ◽

Momentary Assessment

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An ecological momentary assessment study of physical activity behaviors among mothers of toddlers from low-income households

BMC Women s Health ◽

10.1186/s12905-021-01243-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Katherine L. Campbell ◽

Yan Wang ◽

Ann Pulling Kuhn ◽

Maureen M. Black ◽

Erin R. Hager

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Low Income ◽

Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Activity Count ◽

Group Relations ◽

Environment Factors ◽

Group Relation ◽

Ecological Momentary ◽

Momentary Assessment

Abstract Background Mothers of young children from low-income communities may be vulnerable to barriers associated with low physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between home environment factors and maternal physical activity among mothers of toddlers. Methods Mothers of toddlers (n = 200) recruited from low-income communities simultaneously wore an ankle-placed accelerometer and were given a personal digital assistant for ecological momentary assessment. Mothers received randomly prompted questions about their current environment, activity, and social setting several times a day over eight consecutive days. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects regression models with random intercepts; within-group and between-group relations between physical activity and environment factors were disaggregated. Results Within-group relations included higher physical activity counts for specific mothers with television off versus on (95% CI = 130.45, 199.17), children absent versus present (95% CI = 82.00, 3.43), engaging with a child versus not (95% CI = 52.66, 127.63), and outside versus inside location (95% CI = 277.74, 392.67). Between-group relations included higher physical activity on average when other adults were absent versus present (95% CI = − 282.63, − 46.95). Recruitment site (urban vs. semi-urban) significantly moderated the within-group relation between being outside versus inside and activity count (β = − 243.12, 95% CI = − 358.74, − 127.47), and showed stronger relations among urban mothers (β = 440.33, 95% CI = 358.41, 522.25), than semi-urban (β = 190.37, 95% CI = 109.64, 271.11). Maternal body weight significantly moderated the within-group relation between being located outside versus inside the home and activity count (β for interaction = − 188.67, 95% CI = − 308.95, − 68.39), with a stronger relation among mothers with normal weight (β = 451.62, 95% CI = 345.51, 557.73), than mothers with overweight/obesity (β = 271.95, 95% CI = 204.26, 339.64). Conclusions This study highlights home environmental factors, including screen time, the presence of others (adults and children), and location (i.e., outside versus inside) that may relate to maternal physical activity behaviors. Understanding factors associated with physical activity could reduce physical activity disparities. Trial registry ClinicalTrials. NCT02615158, April 2006

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Methodology Used in Ecological Momentary Assessment Studies About Sedentary Behavior in Children, Adolescents, and Adults: Systematic Review Using the Checklist for Reporting Ecological Momentary Assessment Studies (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.11967 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Catiana Leila Possamai Romanzini ◽

Marcelo Romanzini ◽

Mariana Biagi Batista ◽

Cynthia Correa Lopes Barbosa ◽

Gabriela Blasquez Shigaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Review Literature ◽

Self Report ◽

Accelerometer Data ◽

Adolescents And Adults ◽

Ecological Momentary ◽

Momentary Assessment

BACKGROUND The use of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to measure sedentary behavior (SB) in children, adolescents, and adults can increase the understanding of the role of the context of SB in health outcomes. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to systematically review literature to describe EMA methodology used in studies on SB in youth and adults, verify how many studies adhere to the Methods aspect of the Checklist for Reporting EMA Studies (CREMAS), and detail measures used to assess SB and this associated context. METHODS A systematic literature review was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and SPORTDiscus databases, covering the entire period of existence of the databases until January 2018. RESULTS This review presented information about the characteristics and methodology used in 21 articles that utilized EMA to measure SB in youth and adults. There were more studies conducted among youth compared with adults, and studies of youth included more waves and more participants (n=696) than studies with adults (n=97). Most studies (85.7%) adhered to the Methods aspect of the CREMAS. The main criteria used to measure SB in EMA were self-report (81%) with only 19% measuring SB using objective methods (eg, accelerometer). The main equipment to collect objective SB was the ActiGraph, and the cutoff point to define SB was <100 counts/min. Studies most commonly used a 15-min window to compare EMA and accelerometer data. CONCLUSIONS The majority of studies in this review met minimum CREMAS criteria for studies conducted with EMA. Most studies measured SB with EMA self-report (n=17; 81.0%), and a few studies also used objective methods (n=4; 19%). The standardization of the 15-min window criteria to compare EMA and accelerometer data would lead to a comparison between these and new studies. New studies using EMA with mobile phones should be conducted as they can be considered an attractive method for capturing information about the specific context of SB activities of young people and adults in real time or very close to it.

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Exploring Feelings of Pleasure and Purpose Associated With Older People’s Activities Using Ecological Momentary Analysis: An Observational Study

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2020-0253 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Karen E. Hancock ◽

Paul Downward ◽

Lauren B. Sherar

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽

Physical Activity Guidelines ◽

Outdoor Activities ◽

Highly Active ◽

Actigraph Accelerometer ◽

Confounding Variables ◽

Ecological Momentary ◽

Momentary Assessment ◽

Sedentary Activities

Momentary feelings of pleasure and purpose can be sources of intrinsic motivation, but momentary purpose is rarely studied. Activities, contexts, and feelings of retired/semiretired adults (n = 67, aged 50–78 years) were captured using ecological momentary assessment. Participants provided 2,065 valid responses to six daily smartphone surveys for 7 days. Physical activity was measured by waist-worn ActiGraph accelerometer. Pleasure (measured by affective happiness) and purpose outcomes were regressed on activities, context, and potential confounding variables. Interactions between activities and contexts were explored. Participants were highly active: 98.5% met physical activity guidelines. Sedentary activities were negatively associated with sense of purpose, especially when indoors. However, social sedentary activities were positively associated with feelings of happiness. Active, social outdoor activities were positively associated with both outcomes. Less sedentary participants experienced greater happiness and purpose during all their activities. Context matters: active, social, and outdoor activities seem to be more appealing to older adults.

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