The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68905

Pamela Van Coevering, MA¹, Lisa J Harnack, DrPH¹, Kathryn H Schmitz, PhD MPH¹, Janet E. Fulton, PhD², Deborah A. Galuska, PhD², and Shujun Gao, MS¹. (1) Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, 612-626-9094, vancoevering@epi.umn.edu, (2) Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy., N.E, (Mailstop K26), Atlanta, GA 30341-3717

Accelerometers are a valid tool to assess physical activity, although their feasibility with large groups of youth has yet to be determined. The feasibility of using accelerometers was assessed in the Eating and Activity Survey Trial (Project EAST), a study to develop reliable and valid tools to assess eating and physical activity patterns among middle school children. As part of Project EAST, 280 middle school children were asked to wear an accelerometer (Manufacturing Technologies, Inc., Shalimar, FL) for 7 consecutive days. Multiple strategies were employed to encourage compliance and return of the accelerometer: (1) Staff made visits to remind students to wear the device and (2) Students were given movie passes if they returned the accelerometer on time. Data were determined incomplete if the accelerometer registered >= 3 consecutive waking hours of zero counts. Overall, data from 30 accelerometers (representing 11% of the students) were lost due to mechanical problems or operator error. Of the 250 students with usable accelerometer data, the percentage of students with complete accelerometer data from 7 days of data collection were as follows: > 3 days (91%), > 4 days (86%), > 5 days (74%), > 6 days (66%), and 7 days (50%). Ten percent of students were late to return the accelerometer. Our findings suggest that accelerometers are r easy to use and are acceptable to most students; however, researchers working with middle school students should be mindful to carefully monitor compliance to ensure the devices are being worn properly and regularly.

Learning Objectives:

• To share practical lessons with others measuring physical activity in middle school children.
• To increase knowledge of ways to enhance compliance in use of accelerometers in middle school children.

Keywords: Child/Adolescent, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.