# Capturing Movement Behaviors in Latinas: Feasibility, Validity, and Acceptability Study of an Ecological Momentary Assessment Protocol

## TL;DR

This study shows that using smartphones to track physical activity and sedentary behavior in Latinas is practical, accurate, and well-received.

## Contribution

The study introduces a validated and culturally acceptable EMA protocol for assessing movement behaviors in Latinas.

## Key findings

- Participants completed 69.7% of the EMA prompts over 7 days.
- EMA responses were higher during sedentary behavior and lower during light-intensity physical activity.
- Accelerometer data confirmed the validity of self-reported movement behaviors.

## Abstract

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

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

For 7 days, 67 Latinas (average age 39 years, SD = 13.6; n=37, 55.2% earning less than US $50,000/year; n=53, 79.1% foreign-born; and n=49, 73.1% of Mexican or Mexican American 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.

Latinas completed 69.7% (892/1279) of EMA prompts. They were more likely to respond to EMA prompts when engaged in more SB (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06) and less light-intensity PA (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94-0.99) 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.

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