Rationale, Design, and Baseline Characteristics of Participants in the Health@NUS mHealth Augmented Cohort Study Examining Student-to-Work Life Transition: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study

Xin Hui Chua, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
Sarah Martine Edney, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
Andre Matthias Müller, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
Nicholas A. Petrunoff, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
Clare Whitton, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia.
Zoey Tay, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
Claire Marie Goh, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
Bozhi Chen, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
Su Hyun Park, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
Salome A. Rebello, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
Alicia Low, Health Promotion Board, Singapore Government, Singapore, Singapore.
Janelle Chia, Health Promotion Board, Singapore Government, Singapore, Singapore.
Daphne Koek, Health Promotion Board, Singapore Government, Singapore, Singapore.
Karen Cheong, Health Promotion Board, Singapore Government, Singapore, Singapore.
Rob M. van Dam, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
Falk Müller-Riemenschneider, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

7-17-2024

Journal

JMIR research protocols

Volume

13

DOI

10.2196/56749

Keywords

Fitbit; Singapore; app; application; biometric assessment; cohort study; data collection; diet; dietary; dietary data; distress; health behaviors; mHealth; mobile phone; movement behaviors; physical health; psychological distress; questionnaire; sleep; smartphone app; smartwatch; university students; wearable; wearables; well-being; young adults

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Integration of mobile health data collection methods into cohort studies enables the collection of intensive longitudinal information, which gives deeper insights into individuals' health and lifestyle behavioral patterns over time, as compared to traditional cohort methods with less frequent data collection. These findings can then fill the gaps that remain in understanding how various lifestyle behaviors interact as students graduate from university and seek employment (student-to-work life transition), where the inability to adapt quickly to a changing environment greatly affects the mental well-being of young adults. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to provide an overview of the study methodology and baseline characteristics of participants in Health@NUS, a longitudinal study leveraging mobile health to examine the trajectories of health behaviors, physical health, and well-being, and their diverse determinants, for young adults during the student-to-work life transition. METHODS: University students were recruited between August 2020 and June 2022 in Singapore. Participants would complete biometric assessments and questionnaires at 3 time points (baseline, 12-, and 24-month follow-up visits) and use a Fitbit smartwatch and smartphone app to continuously collect physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and dietary data over the 2 years. Additionally, up to 12 two-week-long bursts of app-based ecological momentary surveys capturing lifestyle behaviors and well-being would be sent out among the 3 time points. RESULTS: Interested participants (n=1556) were screened for eligibility, and 776 participants were enrolled in the study between August 2020 and June 2022. Participants were mostly female (441/776, 56.8%), of Chinese ethnicity (741/776, 92%), undergraduate students (759/776, 97.8%), and had a mean BMI of 21.9 (SD 3.3) kg/m, and a mean age of 22.7 (SD 1.7) years. A substantial proportion were overweight (202/776, 26.1%) or obese (42/776, 5.4%), had indicated poor mental well-being (World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index ≤50; 291/776, 37.7%), or were at higher risk for psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale ≥13; 109/776, 14.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study will provide detailed insights into the determinants and trajectories of health behaviors, health, and well-being during the student-to-work life transition experienced by young adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05154227; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05154227. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/56749.

Department

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

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