Using Ecological Momentary Assessment to Evaluate Current Physical Activity

Table 2

Using EMA to evaluate PA among children and adolescents—a literature review compilation (2010–2012).

Authors (year)	Aim	Material	Timing	Activity/objective tool/EMA tool
Rofey et al. (2010) [26]	Investigate feasibility of utilizing EMA in overweight adolescent girls and examine the relationships between EMA results, weight, and behavioral outcomes	♀ 20; 11–19 years; BMI = 39	(i) 3 extended weekends (Thursady–Monday); (ii) 2 times during weekdays and 4 times on weekends; (iii) 14 phone calls	PA, current eating, affect, and social context/A/p.c.
Dunton et al. (2011) [27]	Testing the feasibility, acceptability, and validity of electronic EMA used to assess children’s PA and SB	𝑛=121; ♂ 62/♀ 59; 9–13 years	(i) 4 days (Friday–Monday); (ii) 3–7 surveys daily; (iii) 20 prompts	current activity, with whom, and where—select from the list/A/E
Dunton et al. (2011) [28]	Using EMA to investigate level and experience of PA among children in their leisure time and social context	𝑛=120; ♂ 62/♀ 58; 9–13 years	(i) 4 days (Friday–Monday); (ii) 3–7 surveys daily; (iii) 20 prompts	current activity, with whom, social and physical context, current mood, and enjoyment—select from the list/A/E
Dunton et al. (2012) [29]	Using EMA to investigate whether children’s perception corresponds with parents’ perception of neighborhood characteristics, the children’s level of PA in those settings, and their engagement in PA in leisure time	𝑛=108; ♂ 55%; 9–13 years	(i) 2 times; spaced approximately 6 months; (ii) 4 days (Friday–Monday); (iii) 20 prompts	current activity and physical context—select from the list/A/E
Dunton et al. (2012) [30]	Using EMA to determine whether children change the type of context when they engage in PA after a recent relocation to a SG	𝑛1=46; ♂ 23/♀ 23; 9–13 years; 𝑛2=48; ♂ 26/♀ 22; 9–13 years	(i) 2 times: from May–July to November-December in 2009; spaced approximately 6–12 months; (ii) 4 days (Friday–Monday); (iii) 3–7 surveys daily; (iv) 20 prompts	current activity, with whom, social and physical context, environmental perception, and enjoyment—select from the list/A/E
Dunton et al. (2012) [31]	Using EMA to describe where and with whom children engage in PA in their leisure time	𝑛=97; ♂ 53/♀ 44; 9–13 years	(i) 4 days (Friday–Monday); (ii) 3–7 surveys daily; (iii) 20 prompts	current activity, with whom, and social and physical context—select from the list/A/E

PA: physical activity; SB: sedentary behavior; EMA: ecological momentary assessment; 𝑛: number of subjects; 𝑛₁: SG (a smart growth community); 𝑛₂: control group ♂: males; ♀: females; 𝑋: mean age [years] ± standard deviation; BMI: body mass index [kg/m²]; E: electronic diary/questionnaire on mobile phone with MyExperience software [16]; e: electronic diary in handheld computer; p: pencil and paper diary/questionnaire; p.c.: phone call; A: an accelerometer; HRm: a heart rate monitor.