Continuous Observations of Behavioural Risk Factors in Asia (COBRA)

National University of Singapore

Status: Completed

Conditions: Physical Activity; Health Behavior; Diet, Healthy; Sleep; Sedentary Behavior

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05136872

NUS-IRB-2020-50

Details and patient eligibility

About

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

Full description

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.

Enrollment: 1,361 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 21 to 69 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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