Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #385555
Research Project: Preventing the Development of Childhood Obesity

Location: Children's Nutrition Research Center

Title: Exploring factors associated with accelerometer validity among ethnically diverse toddlers

Author
item CRUMBLEY, CHRISTINE - University Of Houston
item CEPNI, ALIYE - University Of Houston
item TAYLOR, ASHLEY - University Of Houston
item Thompson, Deborah - Debbe
item MORAN, NANCY - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item OLVERA, NORMA - University Of Houston
item O'CONNOR, DANIEL - University Of Houston
item JOHNSTON, CRAIG - University Of Houston
item LEDOUX, TRACEY - University Of Houston

Submitted to: Pediatric Exercise Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/28/2023
Publication Date: 9/27/2023
Citation: Crumbley, C., Cepni, A.B., Taylor, A., Thompson, D.J., Moran, N.E., Olvera, N., O'Connor, D.P., Johnston, C.A., Ledoux, T.A. 2023. Exploring factors associated with accelerometer validity among ethnically diverse toddlers. Pediatric Exercise Science. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2022-0114.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2022-0114

Interpretive Summary: Studying physical activity in toddlers using accelerometers is challenging due to limited compliance with wear time and activity log instructions. The study examined relationships between compliance and participant demographics and parenting style; as well as whether sedentary time differs by activity log completion. This study revealed activity log completion was poor. Sedentary time in toddlers did not vary by completion of activity logs. The results of this study revealed that support from marital partners may be important for future study protocols with research in children.

Technical Abstract: Studying physical activity in toddlers using accelerometers is challenging due to noncompliance with wear time (WT) and activity log (AL) instructions. The aims of this study were to examine relationships between WT and AL completion and (1) demographic and socioeconomic variables, (2) parenting style, and (3) whether sedentary time differs by AL completion. Secondary analysis was performed using baseline data from a community wellness program randomized controlled trial for parents with toddlers (12–35 mo). Parents had toddlers wear ActiGraph wGT3x accelerometers and completed ALs. Valid days included >=600-minute WT. Analysis of variance and chi-square analyses were used. The sample (n=50) comprised racial and ethnically diverse toddlers (mean age=27 mo, 58% male) and parents (mean age=31.7 y, 84% female). Twenty-eight families (56%) returned valid accelerometer data with ALs. Participants in relationships were more likely to complete ALs (P<.05). Toddler sedentary time did not differ between those with ALs and those without. We found varied compliance with WT instructions and AL completion. Returned AL quality was poor, presenting challenges in correctly characterizing low-activity counts to improve internal validity of WT and physical activity measures. Support from marital partners may be important for adherence to study protocols.