Abstract
Background: All 24-h movement behaviors, i.e. physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep, are important for
optimal health in children. Currently, no tools exist that include all 24-h behaviors and have been proven to be
both reliable and valid. Potential reasons for the inadequate validity and reliability of existing questionnaires are the
lack of focus on the content validity and lack of involvement of children in the development. Therefore, the aim of
this study was to co-create a 24-h movement behavior tool together with 9–12-year-old children.
Methods: Concept mapping and photovoice meetings were held to identify children’s physical activity behaviors.
During concept mapping meetings with four groups of children (n = 40), children generated an extensive list of
physical activities they engaged in, sorted the activities in categories and rated the frequency and perceived
intensity of these activities. Using photovoice, three groups of children (n = 24) photographed their physical
activities during one weekday and one weekend day, named the photographs, and placed them on a timeline.
Furthermore, researchers obtained information on relevant items regarding sleep and sedentary behavior by
screening existing questionnaires. Thereafter, we developed the first version of MyDailyMoves. Subsequently, we
examined the content validity of the tool together with three groups of children (n = 22) and one group of
researchers (n = 7) using focus group meetings.
Results: MyDailyMoves has a timeline format, onto which children add the activities they performed the previous
day. Based on the concept mapping and photovoice studies, eight physical activity categories were included:
playing inside, playing outside, sports, hobbies, chores, personal care, transport, and others. Sleep questions and
two more sedentary categories (schoolwork and screen time) were added to MyDailyMoves to define and
complete the timeline. The content validity study showed that all items in the tool were relevant. However,
children mentioned that the activity category ‘eating’ was missing and the understandability of how to use the tool
should be improved by adding an explanatory video. Both suggestions were adopted in the second version.
Conclusion: Including the children’s perceptions throughout the tool development process resulted in a
comprehensive and practical tool which is easy for children to use.
optimal health in children. Currently, no tools exist that include all 24-h behaviors and have been proven to be
both reliable and valid. Potential reasons for the inadequate validity and reliability of existing questionnaires are the
lack of focus on the content validity and lack of involvement of children in the development. Therefore, the aim of
this study was to co-create a 24-h movement behavior tool together with 9–12-year-old children.
Methods: Concept mapping and photovoice meetings were held to identify children’s physical activity behaviors.
During concept mapping meetings with four groups of children (n = 40), children generated an extensive list of
physical activities they engaged in, sorted the activities in categories and rated the frequency and perceived
intensity of these activities. Using photovoice, three groups of children (n = 24) photographed their physical
activities during one weekday and one weekend day, named the photographs, and placed them on a timeline.
Furthermore, researchers obtained information on relevant items regarding sleep and sedentary behavior by
screening existing questionnaires. Thereafter, we developed the first version of MyDailyMoves. Subsequently, we
examined the content validity of the tool together with three groups of children (n = 22) and one group of
researchers (n = 7) using focus group meetings.
Results: MyDailyMoves has a timeline format, onto which children add the activities they performed the previous
day. Based on the concept mapping and photovoice studies, eight physical activity categories were included:
playing inside, playing outside, sports, hobbies, chores, personal care, transport, and others. Sleep questions and
two more sedentary categories (schoolwork and screen time) were added to MyDailyMoves to define and
complete the timeline. The content validity study showed that all items in the tool were relevant. However,
children mentioned that the activity category ‘eating’ was missing and the understandability of how to use the tool
should be improved by adding an explanatory video. Both suggestions were adopted in the second version.
Conclusion: Including the children’s perceptions throughout the tool development process resulted in a
comprehensive and practical tool which is easy for children to use.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 63 |
| Journal | International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |
| Volume | 17 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 14 May 2020 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
FundingThe contribution of LH and LB was funded by the municipality of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Healthy Weight Programme. The funding body had no role in the study design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of the data or writing the manuscript.