Characterizing the context of sedentary lifestyles in a representative sample of adults: a cross-sectional study from the physical activity measurement study project.

BACKGROUND: Research has clearly demonstrated that excess time spent on sedentary behavior (SB) increases health risks in the population. However, the lack of information on the context of SB in the population prevents a detailed understanding of sedentary lifestyles. The purpose of this study was to characterize the context of SB in a representative sample of adults and to examine differences across various socio-demographic indicators. METHODS: A diverse sample of 1442 adults (ages 20-71 year) completed an interviewer-administered 24-h activity recall to provide detailed information about the time, type and location of the previous day's activities. All reported activities were matched with MET scores from the Compendium of Physical Activity but only SB (i.e., METS < 1.5) were extracted for the present analyses. RESULTS: The reported SB were broadly distributed across 5 primary location categories (Work: 27.5%, Community: 24.8%, Home/Indoor: 20.5%, Home/Outdoor: 15.8%, and Transportation: 11.3%). Patterns of SB allocations varied considerably across different socio-demographic indicators indicating the extreme variability in SB in the population. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide unique insights about the context of SB at the population level, and can serve as a guide for developing intervention/policy studies to reduce sedentary time and minimize disparities in SB

Correlates of children’s moderate and vigorous physical activity during weekdays and weekends

Background:Vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) may confer superior health benefits for children compared to moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA), but the correlates of MPA and VPA may differ. The study purpose was to investigate associations between selected enabling, predisposing, and demographic physical activity correlates, and MPA and VPA during weekdays and at weekends.Methods:Data were gathered from 175 children (aged 10 to 11 years). MPA and VPA were assessed using accelerometers. Correlates were measured at child and school levels. Multilevel analyses identified correlates that significantly predicted MPA and VPA.Results:Gender significantly predicted weekday MPA (P &lt; .001), and weekend MPA (P = .022) and VPA (P = .035). Weekday VPA was predicted by gender (P &lt; .001), indices of multiple deprivation score (P &lt; .003), BMI (P = .018), and school playground area (P = .046).Conclusions:Gender was the most significant correlate of MPA and VPA. Children most likely to engage in weekday VPA were boys with lower deprivation scores and BMI values, with access to larger playground areas.</jats:sec

Tracking Energy Balance in Adolescents: Levels of Compliance, Energy Flux, and Learning

Background/Objective: Advancing knowledge about energy balance (EB) is important for helping to reverse the obesity epidemic in many modern societies. This study examined adolescents\u27 experience and perception of using an objective self-monitoring tool (SenseWear armband; SWA) and a portable diet journal to track EB for 7 days. Methods: Forty-five 6th grade students in a midwestern state of the United States [Caucasian: n = 34, 76%; age: 11.7 ± 1.8 years; body mass index (BMI): 20.84 ± 3.94] participated in the study. The SWA, diet journal, and semistructured individual interview were used to measure energy expenditure (EE) and physical activity (PA), energy intake (EI), and perception of the experience, respectively. Mixed methods were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data. Results: It was found that the participants were physically active over the week (moderate-to-vigorous PA: 218.06 ± 26.50 minutes per day). Both SWA (% of wearing time: 85 ± 5%) and diet journal (days of using: 5.58 ± 2.15 days), especially the latter, were found to be under-used. A conceptual model depicting the adolescents\u27 experience and perception was established based on the results. Conclusion: The study indicates that the majority of adolescents were able to effectively use the SWA and the diet journal to track EB over time. Qualitative observations revealed that tracking EI and EE with these tools provided a valuable, experiential way for youth to learn about EB. The findings support the continued exploration of self-monitoring EB for promoting knowledge and awareness about EB among adolescents

Impact of activity outcome and measurement instrument on estimates of youth compliance with physical activity guidelines: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The national physical activity guidelines (PAG) in many countries recommend that youth accumulate 60 min or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily (PAG-MVPA). A daily target of ≥ 11,500 steps/day has been proposed as a step count alternative to this guideline (PAG-Steps). Contemporary activity monitors are capable of estimating both MVPA and steps, but it is not clear how these units compare when used to evaluate compliance with the national PAG. The purpose of this study was to compare prevalence estimates of meeting the PAG-MVPA and PAG-Steps using two commonly used monitors, the ActiGraph (AG) and SenseWear Armband (SWA). METHODS: A sample of 69 children (25 girls and 44 boys) aged 9-16 years each wore a wrist-mounted AG and a SWA over a one-week period. Days with ≥10 h of wear time for both monitors were included in the analysis. Estimates of time spent in MVPA were obtained using the Crouter equation for the AG and from proprietary algorithms for the SWA. Step counts for the AG and SWA were directly obtained from the respective software. The prevalence of meeting the PAG-MVPA and PAG-Steps was compared within each monitor, using Cohen's kappa (κ) statistic. Agreement was similarly assessed between monitors using each guideline individually. RESULTS: When assessed with the AG, the prevalence of meeting PAG was substantially higher for the PAG-MVPA (87.2 %) than for the PAG-Steps (54.2 %), with fair classification agreement (κ = 0.30) between the two guidelines. Higher prevalence rates were also observed for the PAG-MVPA (83.6 %) than for the PAG-Steps (33.8 %) when assessed using the SWA, but the prevalence rates and classification agreement (κ = 0.18) were lower than the values from the AG. Classification agreement between AG and SWA was lower for the PAG-MVPA (κ = 0.42) than for the PAG-Steps (κ = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: The results show differential patterns of compliance with the PAG-MVPA and PAG-Steps, as assessed by the AG and SWA. Additional research is needed to directly evaluate and compare findings from public health research based on different guidelines and measurement methods

Impact of activity outcome and measurement instrument on estimates of youth compliance with physical activity guidelines: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background The national physical activity guidelines (PAG) in many countries recommend that youth accumulate 60 min or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily (PAG-MVPA). A daily target of ≥ 11,500 steps/day has been proposed as a step count alternative to this guideline (PAG-Steps). Contemporary activity monitors are capable of estimating both MVPA and steps, but it is not clear how these units compare when used to evaluate compliance with the national PAG. The purpose of this study was to compare prevalence estimates of meeting the PAG-MVPA and PAG-Steps using two commonly used monitors, the ActiGraph (AG) and SenseWear Armband (SWA). Methods A sample of 69 children (25 girls and 44 boys) aged 9–16 years each wore a wrist-mounted AG and a SWA over a one-week period. Days with ≥10 h of wear time for both monitors were included in the analysis. Estimates of time spent in MVPA were obtained using the Crouter equation for the AG and from proprietary algorithms for the SWA. Step counts for the AG and SWA were directly obtained from the respective software. The prevalence of meeting the PAG-MVPA and PAG-Steps was compared within each monitor, using Cohen’s kappa (κ) statistic. Agreement was similarly assessed between monitors using each guideline individually. Results When assessed with the AG, the prevalence of meeting PAG was substantially higher for the PAG-MVPA (87.2 %) than for the PAG-Steps (54.2 %), with fair classification agreement (κ = 0.30) between the two guidelines. Higher prevalence rates were also observed for the PAG-MVPA (83.6 %) than for the PAG-Steps (33.8 %) when assessed using the SWA, but the prevalence rates and classification agreement (κ = 0.18) were lower than the values from the AG. Classification agreement between AG and SWA was lower for the PAG-MVPA (κ = 0.42) than for the PAG-Steps (κ = 0.55). Conclusions The results show differential patterns of compliance with the PAG-MVPA and PAG-Steps, as assessed by the AG and SWA. Additional research is needed to directly evaluate and compare findings from public health research based on different guidelines and measurement methods

Peer Health Coach Training Practicum: Evidence from a Flipped Classroom

Health coaching is a popular and effective method to assist individuals in gaining motivation to engage in healthy lifestyle behavior changes. The utility has led to an increased demand for trained individuals within the health care field. A new flipped classroom practicum course was developed to offer undergraduate students the opportunity to learn a foundational skill called motivational interviewing (MI) commonly used in health coaching. The 16-week, 2-credit course (led by three trained, graduate student health coaches) consists of online video lectures, in-class activities, experiential training, and supervised practicum experiences in health coaching. The aim of this study is to evaluate the process, impact, and outcomes of this new health coaching practicum. Measures consisted of surveys to assess participant satisfaction and course impact using 6-point Likert scales and were analyzed descriptively (mean ± SD), along with obtaining recorded MI conversations to evaluate fidelity of the training. These preliminary results support the utility of a flipped classroom practicum course designed to teach undergraduate students the skills of MI; however, extended practice with the use of MI may be needed for students to meet all proficiency levels

Evaluation of Confidence Using Motivational Interviewing Skills Before and After In-Person Training Workshop

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a skill used to help individuals make positive behavior changes and may be beneficial for those who work with undergraduate students. A new training, comprised of online content followed by an in-person workshop, was created and offered to staff members working directly with students at Iowa State University. The aim of this study was to evaluate confidence for using MI-related components pre and post an in-person workshop. To do so, participants completed a survey regarding their confidence in using MI-related skills before and after the workshop. From the survey results, a paired t-test was conducted to examine differences, and effect size was calculated to examine the magnitude of this difference. A significant difference was found pre to post with a small-to-moderate effect size, suggesting the in-person workshop was an important component for building self-efficacy to implement principles of MI in future conversations with students

Using Sensewear Armband and Diet Journal to Promote Adolescents\u27 Energy Balance Knowledge and Motivation

Purpose: Educating adolescents about energy balance (EB) is essential for effective weight control. This study utilized the Sensewear (SWA) armband and a diet journal to promote adolescents\u27 EB knowledge and motivation. Methods: Ninety sixth graders were randomly assigned into the experimental group (n = 46) who utilized SWA and diet journal for 7 consecutive days or the control group (n = 44) who did not. Both groups were pre-and post-measured on EB knowledge, situational interest, and weight. The experimental group was tracked on motivation effort, energy expenditure (EE), and energy intake (EI). Results: EB knowledge significantly increased and situational interest remained stable (except for total interest and enjoyment) over time, but these changes did not favor the experimental group. Situational interest and motivation effort were correlated with EE, EI, and/or EB. Conclusion: Tracking EB using the SWA and diet journal is motivating but has limited efficacy in promoting adolescents\u27 EB knowledge. Using these two tools as educational technology in conjunction with a focused, systematic, and educational approach has the potential to leverage adolescents\u27 EB knowledge, motivation, as well as behaviors for living an energy-balanced lifestyle

Calibration of Built-in Accelerometer Using a Commercially Available Smartphone

Wearable trackers that detect sleep offer users a way to track their sleep quality and patterns without the use of expensive equipment. Few studies have tested the validity of these trackers on sleep measure. PURPOSE: To examine the validity of the Actigraph GT9X (AG), SenseWear Mini Armband (SW), Basis Peak (BP), Fitbit Charge HR (FB), Jawbone UP3 (JU), and Garmin Vivosmart (GV) for estimating sleep variables as compared with a sleep diary. METHODS: 78 healthy individuals participated in the study. Group 1 (n= 38) and wore the AG, SW, BP, and FB or Group 2 (n = 40) and wore the AG, JU, and GV. Monitors were worn on the non-dominant arm for 3 nights and a sleep log was completed. Sleep variables were total sleep time (TST), time in bed (TIB), sleep efficiency (SE), and wake after sleep onset (WASO). Pearson correlation, mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE), equivalence testing, Bland-Altman plots, and ANOVA were used to assess validity compared with the diary. RESULTS: Overall, monitors that showed the greatest correlation with the sleep diary for TST were the JU and FB (effect size= 0.09 and 0.23, respectively). The greatest correlation with the sleep diary for TIB was seen with the SW, GV, and JU (effect size= 0.09, 0.16, and 0.07, respectively). SE and WASO showed very poor correlation with the log. Measures for equivalence testing confirmed the success of the JU, SW, FB, and GV for measureing TIB and TST. CONCLUSION: The FB, SW, JU, and GV could be valid measure of TST and TIB. The monitors are not valid regarding wake times during sleep. Further research is needed to validate these monitors with polysomnography