scholarly journals Comparison of Geographic Information System and Subjective Assessments of Momentary Food Environments as Predictors of Food Intake: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine G Elliston ◽  
Benjamin Schüz ◽  
Tim Albion ◽  
Stuart G Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
The Self ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Food Outlets ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Mhealth Apps ◽  
Momentary Assessment

BACKGROUND It has been observed that eating is influenced by the presence and availability of food. Being aware of the presence of food in the environment may enable mobile health (mHealth) apps to use geofencing techniques to determine the most appropriate time to proactively deliver interventions. To date, however, studies on eating typically rely on self-reports of environmental contexts, which may not be accurate or feasible for issuing mHealth interventions. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the subjective and geographic information system (GIS) assessments of the momentary food environment to explore the feasibility of using GIS data to predict eating behavior and inform geofenced interventions. METHODS In total, 72 participants recorded their food intake in real-time for 14 days using an ecological momentary assessment approach. Participants logged their food intake and responded to approximately 5 randomly timed assessments each day. During each assessment, the participants reported the number and type of food outlets nearby. Their electronic diaries simultaneously recorded their GPS coordinates. The GPS data were later overlaid with a GIS map of food outlets to produce an objective count of the number of food outlets within 50 m of the participant. RESULTS Correlations between self-reported and GIS counts of food outlets within 50 m were only of a small size (<i>r</i>=0.17; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Logistic regression analyses revealed that the GIS count significantly predicted eating similar to the self-reported counts (area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC-ROC] self-report=0.53, SE 0.00 versus AUC-ROC 50 m GIS=0.53, SE 0.00; <i>P</i>=.41). However, there was a significant difference between the GIS-derived and self-reported counts of food outlets and the self-reported type of food outlets (AUC-ROC self-reported outlet type=0.56, SE 0.01; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). CONCLUSIONS The subjective food environment appears to predict eating better than objectively measured food environments via GIS. mHealth apps may need to consider the type of food outlets rather than the raw number of outlets in an individual’s environment.

scholarly journals Comparison of Geographic Information System and Subjective Assessments of Momentary Food Environments as Predictors of Food Intake: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study

10.2196/15948 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e15948
Author(s):  
Katherine G Elliston ◽  
Benjamin Schüz ◽  
Tim Albion ◽  
Stuart G Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
The Self ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Food Outlets ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Mhealth Apps ◽  
Momentary Assessment

Background It has been observed that eating is influenced by the presence and availability of food. Being aware of the presence of food in the environment may enable mobile health (mHealth) apps to use geofencing techniques to determine the most appropriate time to proactively deliver interventions. To date, however, studies on eating typically rely on self-reports of environmental contexts, which may not be accurate or feasible for issuing mHealth interventions. Objective This study aimed to compare the subjective and geographic information system (GIS) assessments of the momentary food environment to explore the feasibility of using GIS data to predict eating behavior and inform geofenced interventions. Methods In total, 72 participants recorded their food intake in real-time for 14 days using an ecological momentary assessment approach. Participants logged their food intake and responded to approximately 5 randomly timed assessments each day. During each assessment, the participants reported the number and type of food outlets nearby. Their electronic diaries simultaneously recorded their GPS coordinates. The GPS data were later overlaid with a GIS map of food outlets to produce an objective count of the number of food outlets within 50 m of the participant. Results Correlations between self-reported and GIS counts of food outlets within 50 m were only of a small size (r=0.17; P<.001). Logistic regression analyses revealed that the GIS count significantly predicted eating similar to the self-reported counts (area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC-ROC] self-report=0.53, SE 0.00 versus AUC-ROC 50 m GIS=0.53, SE 0.00; P=.41). However, there was a significant difference between the GIS-derived and self-reported counts of food outlets and the self-reported type of food outlets (AUC-ROC self-reported outlet type=0.56, SE 0.01; P<.001). Conclusions The subjective food environment appears to predict eating better than objectively measured food environments via GIS. mHealth apps may need to consider the type of food outlets rather than the raw number of outlets in an individual’s environment.

Are commonly used proxy measures of food value and motivation predictive of self-reported real-world snacking? An ecological momentary assessment study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Masterton ◽  
Charlotte Hardman ◽  
Emma Boyland ◽  
Eric Robinson ◽  
Harriet Makin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Real World ◽  
Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽  
Alternative Assessment ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Snack Food ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Momentary Assessment ◽  
Food Value

While the assessment of actual food intake is essential in the evaluation of behaviour change interventions for weight-loss, it may not always be feasible to collect this information within traditional experimental paradigms. For this reason, proxy measures of food intake (such as measures of food value and choice) are often used as more accessible alternatives. However, the predictive validity of these measures (in relation to subsequent food consumption) has not yet been studied. Using an Ecological Momentary Assessment design, our aim was to investigate the extent to which three commonly used proxy measures of snack food intake (explicit food value, unhealthy food choice and implicit preference) predicted self-reported real-world snacking occasions over a 7-day study period. Our findings demonstrated that none of the proxy measures significantly predicted self-reported healthy or unhealthy snacking occasions, or the number of unhealthy portions consumed by participants. These findings raise questions in relation to the association between proxy measures and self-reported real-world snack food consumption. Future research should further evaluate the predictive and construct validity of proxy measures in relation to food behaviours and explore the development of alternative assessment methods within eating behaviour research.

scholarly journals Associations between Daily Work Hassles and Energy-Balance Behaviors in Female African American Workers: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-186
Author(s):  
Ting-Ti Lin ◽  
Kelly K. Jones ◽  
Pamela Martyn-Nemeth ◽  
Shannon N. Zenk
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Momentary Assessment

Objective: Despite their high rate of labor force participation, African American women earn less and are overrepresented in service jobs that tend to have fewer benefits, longer work hours, and less flex­ibility. The aim of our study was to examine associations between work-related daily has­sles and energy balance behaviors among female African American workers.Design: A secondary analysis of a 7-day intensive longitudinal study using ecological momentary assessment (EMA).Setting: Metropolitan area of Chicago, Illinois, United States; July 2012 through January 2013.Participants: A convenience sample of 70 female African American workers.Methods: EMA was used to collect informa­tion over seven days on work hassles and energy balance behaviors: empty calorie food intake; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA); sedentary behavior; sleep duration; and sleep disturbance. Within-person associations between daily work hassles and each of these daily energy bal­ance behaviors were analyzed using person fixed-effects regression.Results: A total of 334 person-day observa­tions from 70 female African American workers were included in the final analysis. Reporting at least one daily work hassle was associated with same-day higher empty calorie food intake (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.0, 4.6) and more daily minutes of sedentary behavior (b: 35.8, 95% CI; .2, 71.3). How­ever, no significant associations were found between prior-day work hassles and either food intake or sedentary behavior. Daily work hassles were not related to MVPA, sleep duration, or sleep disturbance.Conclusions: Our study showed that daily work hassles were associated with female African American workers’ empty calo­rie food intake and sedentary behaviors. Strategies to eliminate daily work hassles may help to improve their energy balance behaviors. Ethn Dis. 2021;31(2):177-186; doi:10.18865/ed.31.2.177

Self-medication and experiential avoidance: Using network analysis to understand young adult cannabis use

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Enkema ◽  
Marilyn Piccirillo
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Paradoxical Effects ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Momentary Assessment

In the United States, cannabis is one of the two most commonly used substances, with the highest rates of use reported during young adulthood. The self-medication theory suggests that cannabis use may be a behavioral response to cope with unwanted mood and emotion. Additional theories under study were the dynamic model of addiction and the paradoxical effects of thought suppression and experiential avoidance. The current study used ecological momentary assessment to evaluate these three theories among young adult college student cannabis users by investigating contemporaneous and temporal links between positive and negative affect, craving, intoxication level, and coping style. Participants (N=86) were students at a large public university in the Pacific Northwest using cannabis two or more days per week, with problems related to cannabis use, and interest in changing their use. During a two-week ecological momentary assessment period, participants completed four daily self-reports. We constructed associative and temporal networks to test each of the three theories during cycles of cannabis use and cycles of cannabis non-use. Results provided evidence to support the dynamic model of addiction, as well as the paradoxical effects of thought suppression and experiential avoidance. However, there was mixed evidence related to the self-medication theory. The expected link between negative affect and level of intoxication was only observed in the contemporaneous model and not in the temporal model. Future research may investigate these theories among those using other substances, with more severe presentations, or greater readiness to change their use.

scholarly journals Ecological momentary assessment of environmental and personal factors and snack food intake in African American women

Appetite ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 83 ◽  
pp. 333-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon N. Zenk ◽  
Irina Horoi ◽  
Ashley McDonald ◽  
Colleen Corte ◽  
Barth Riley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽  
Snack Food ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
American Women ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Momentary Assessment

scholarly journals A Smartphone App Combining Global Positioning System Data and Ecological Momentary Assessment to Track Individual Food Environment Exposure, Food Purchases, and Food Consumption: Protocol for the Observational FoodTrack Study

10.2196/15283 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e15283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maartje P Poelman ◽  
Frank J van Lenthe ◽  
Simon Scheider ◽  
Carlijn BM Kamphuis
Keyword(s):  
Global Positioning System ◽  
Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Positioning System ◽  
Food Purchases ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Global Positioning System Tracking ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Momentary Assessment

Background Our understanding of how food choices are affected by exposure to the food environment is limited, and there are important gaps in the literature. Recently developed smartphone-based technologies, including global positioning systems and ecological momentary assessment, enable these gaps to be filled. Objective We present the FoodTrack study design and methods, as well as participants’ compliance with the study protocol and their experiences with the app. We propose future analyses of the data to examine individual food environmental exposure taking into account the accessible food environment and individual time constraints; to assess people’s food choices in relation to food environmental exposure; and to examine the moderating role of individual and contextual determinants of food purchases and consumption. Methods We conducted a 7-day observational study among adults (25-45 years of age) living in urban areas in the Netherlands. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire, used an app (incorporating global positioning system tracking and ecological momentary assessment) for 7 days, and then completed a closing survey. The app automatically collected global positioning system tracking data, and participants uploaded information on all food purchases over the 7-day period into the app. Participants also answered questions on contextual or individual purchase-related determinants directly after each purchase. During the final 3 days of the study, the participants also uploaded data on fruit, vegetable, and snack consumption and answered similar ecological momentary assessment questions after each intake. Results In total, 140 participants completed the study. More than half of the participants said they liked the app (81/140, 57.9%) and found it easy to use (75/140, 53.6%). Of the 140 participants, 126 (90.0%) said that they had collected data on all or almost all purchases and intakes during the 7-day period. Most found the additional ecological momentary assessment questions “easy to answer” (113/140, 80.7%) with “no effort” (99/140, 70.7%). Of 106 participants who explored their trips in the app, 20 (18.8%) had trouble with their smartphone’s global positioning system tracking function. Therefore, we will not be able to include all participants in some of the proposed analyses, as we lack these data. We are analyzing data from the first study aim and we expect to publish the results in the spring of 2020. Conclusions Participants perceived the FoodTrack app as a user-friendly tool. The app is particularly useful for observational studies that aim to gain insight into daily food environment exposure and food choices. Further analyses of the FoodTrack study data will provide novel insights into individual food environmental exposure, evidence on the individual food environment-diet interaction, and insights into the underlying individual and contextual mechanisms of food purchases and consumption. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/15283

Emotionsregulation bei Depression

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 235-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Barnow ◽  
Maren Aldinger ◽  
Ines Ulrich ◽  
Malte Stopsack
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Momentary Assessment

Die Anzahl der Studien, die sich mit dem Zusammenhang zwischen Emotionsregulation (ER) und depressiven Störungen befassen, steigt. In diesem Review werden Studien zusammengefasst und metaanalytisch ausgewertet, die den Zusammenhang zwischen ER und Depression mittels Fragebögen bzw. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) erfassen. Dabei zeigt sich ein ER-Profil welches durch die vermehrte Nutzung von Rumination, Suppression und Vermeidung bei gleichzeitig seltenerem Einsatz von Neubewertung und Problemlösen gekennzeichnet ist. Mit mittleren bis großen Effekten, ist der Zusammenhang zwischen Depression und maladaptiven Strategien besser belegt als bei den adaptiven Formen, wo die Effekte eher moderat ausfielen. EMA-Messungen bestätigen dieses Profil. Da EMA-Studien neben der Häufigkeit des Strategieeinsatzes auch die Erfassung anderer ER-Parameter wie Effektivität und Flexibilität ermöglichen, sollten solche Designs in der ER-Forschung zukünftig vermehrt Einsatz finden.

Using Personal Cell Phones for Ecological Momentary Assessment

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Kuntsche ◽  
Florian Labhart
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Cell Phones ◽  
Personal Digital Assistants ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Mobility Patterns ◽  
Standard Data ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Momentary Assessment

Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a way of collecting data in people’s natural environments in real time and has become very popular in social and health sciences. The emergence of personal digital assistants has led to more complex and sophisticated EMA protocols but has also highlighted some important drawbacks. Modern cell phones combine the functionalities of advanced communication systems with those of a handheld computer and offer various additional features to capture and record sound, pictures, locations, and movements. Moreover, most people own a cell phone, are familiar with the different functions, and always carry it with them. This paper describes ways in which cell phones have been used for data collection purposes in the field of social sciences. This includes automated data capture techniques, for example, geolocation for the study of mobility patterns and the use of external sensors for remote health-monitoring research. The paper also describes cell phones as efficient and user-friendly tools for prompt manual data collection, that is, by asking participants to produce or to provide data. This can either be done by means of dedicated applications or by simply using the web browser. We conclude that cell phones offer a variety of advantages and have a great deal of potential for innovative research designs, suggesting they will be among the standard data collection devices for EMA in the coming years.

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