JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Latinas are one of the largest and fastest-growing female ethnic groups in the United States (US) and have high levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors (SB), contributing to a disproportionate burden of chronic health conditions. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) involves the use of smartphone-based data collected in real-time to assess health behaviors and outcomes.

Objective:

We examined the feasibility, validity, and acceptability of an EMA protocol assessing physical activity (PA) and SB in Latina adults.

Methods:

For 7 days, 66 Latinas (average age 39, 70% earning <$20,000/year, 79% foreign-born; 73% Mexican origin) completed a signal-contingent EMA protocol with 3 prompts per day and wore an Actigraph GT3X accelerometer to measure levels of PA and SB. EMA prompts inquired about current behavior, feelings, beliefs, social conditions and contexts.

Results:

Latinas completed 70% of EMA prompts. They were more likely to respond to prompts later in the morning, on weekends, and when engaged in more SB (Odds Ratio (OR): 1.04, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)I: 1.01, 1.06) and less light-intensity PA (OR: 0.97, 95% CI:) in the 30 minutes around the prompt. Accelerometer data validated self-reported occasions of PA and SB via EMA. The majority of participants (>70%) were satisfied with the protocol and expressed interest in participating in future studies.

Conclusions:

EMA is feasible, valid, and acceptable methodology for capturing movement behaviors among Latinas, providing insights into the antecedents and consequences of these behaviors in their daily lives.