Investigating Microtemporal Processes Underlying Health Behavior Adoption and Maintenance: Protocol for an Intensive...

Area of Science:

• Behavioral science
• Public health
• Chronobiology

Background:

• Young adulthood (18-29 years) is a critical period for weight gain, increasing chronic disease risk.
• Physical activity, sleep, and sedentary behavior are key energy-balance behaviors influenced by decision-making processes.
• Dual-process models differentiate reflective (slow, deliberative) and reactive (fast, automatic) behaviors, crucial for understanding behavior adoption and maintenance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design, recruitment, and data collection of the 12-month Temporal Influences on Movement and Exercise (TIME) study.
• To investigate real-time, microtemporal influences on the adoption and maintenance of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep.
• To examine the roles of reflective and reactive processes in energy-balance behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Utilized intermittent ecological momentary assessment (e.g., intentions, self-control) and continuous sensor-based passive monitoring (e.g., location, activity).
• Employed smartwatches and smartphones for data collection over 12 months.
• Combined idiographic and nomothetic approaches for data analysis to model behavior episodes and lapses.

Main Results:

• Recruited 246 young adults across the United States.
• Conducted rolling recruitment from March 2020 to August 2021.
• Completed data collection by August 2022.

Conclusions:

• Results will enhance predictive health behavior theories.
• Findings will inform personalized interventions for obesity reduction.
• The study aims to improve public health outcomes through better behavior change strategies.