Continuous Observations of Behavioural Risk Factors in Asia (COBRA)

National University of Singapore1,361 enrolled

Overview

The aim of this study is to advance understanding of behavioural risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in Singapore.

BACKGROUND: Modifiable risk factors for non-communicable diseases, including unhealthy diets and movement behaviours, are influenced by complex and dynamic interactions between people and their social and physical environment. Therefore, understanding patterns and determinants of these risk factors as they occur in real-life is essential to enable the design of precision public health interventions. AIMS: The aims of this study are to (1) examine patterns of dietary and movement behaviours in real-time as people go about their daily lives, (2) examine how interactions with the social and physical environment influence dietary and movement behaviours, and (3) examine how these patterns differ by ethnicity and other socio-demographic characteristics. METHOD: This is an observational study in free-living participants over 10 consecutive days, with a 9-day follow-up 6 months later. 1500 participants will be recruited from a large prospective cohort study. Real-time data capture strategies will be used: an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) app with global positioning system (GPS) enabled to collect location data, accelerometers to measure movement, and wearable sensors to monitor blood glucose levels. Participants receive six EMA prompts per day to capture information on diet and movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep), and related contextual factors. A second wave of EMA prompts and GPS monitoring will occur 6 months later. Data will be integrated and analysed using generalised linear models to examine associations between behavioural risk factors and contextual determinants.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

1,361

Conditions

Health Behavior Diet, Healthy Physical Activity Sedentary Behavior Sleep

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 21 YearsMax age: 69 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion criteria: * aged 21 to 69 years of age * citizen or permanent resident of Singapore * of Chinese, Malay, or Indian ethnicity * able to read English * own or have continued access to a smartphone with a data plan * able to use smartphone apps * able to walk independently Exclusion criteria: * history of stroke, heart disease, renal failure, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, cancer, or a serious mental health condition (e.g., schizophrenia, depression, or dementia) * have had vascular bypass surgery or angioplasty procedure performed * known sensitivity to medical-grade adhesives * bleeding disorder

Locations (1)

Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore

Singapore, Singapore

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Movement behaviours

Movement behaviours (i.e., physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep) are measured using a wrist-worn accelerometer.

Time frame: continuously for 9 days.

Glucose concentrations

Glucose concentrations are measured using a continuous glucose monitor sensor.

Time frame: in 15-minute intervals over 9 days.

Self-reported food intake

Self-reported food intake measurement through entering of food items and the social and physical environment of eating via an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) smartphone app.

Time frame: Change in self-reported food intake over time. Data will be collected at 2.5-hour intervals between 8am and 9.30pm over a period of 9 days, and repeated at the 6-month follow-up

Self-reported movement behaviours

Self-reported movement behaviours (i.e., physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep) through entering of the type and social and physical environment context of activity via an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) smartphone app.

Time frame: Change in self-reported movement behaviours over time. Data will be collected at 2.5-hour intervals between 8am and 9.30pm over a period of 9 days, and repeated at the 6-month follow-up

Self-reported screen time

Self-reported screen time through entering of the type of screen used and the purpose and the duration of screen time via an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) smartphone app.

Time frame: Change in self-reported screen time over time. Data will be collected at 2.5-hour intervals between 8am and 9.30pm over a period of 9 days, and repeated at the 6-month follow-up

Secondary Outcomes

Self-reported stress levels

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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