Objective To review the application of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) in sedentary children and adolescents, so as to provide references for preventing and managing sedentary behavior in this population.Methods Using the JBI Scope Review Guidelines as the methodological framework, we systematically searched China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, VIP, China Biology Medicine Database, PubMed, Web of Science Core set, Embase, and Cochrane library database for studies on the application of EMA in sedentary children and adolescents, the search period was from the database inception to March 30, 2024, and the included articles were pooled and analyzed.Results A total of 22 articles were included, the EMA tools included diaries, mobile devices and applications, which could evaluate the sedentary behaviors of children and adolescents such as screen time, social interaction, commuting, etc. The data sampling was mainly based on equal time intervals, which could break through the limitations of application scenarios and time. Its application forms included single EMA, combined application with retrospective questionnaire and objective assessment tools, and its application feasibility and effectiveness were reflected via the response rate, concurrent validity, and fatigue effect.Conclusions EMA can effectively assess sedentary behaviors and related background factors in children and adolescents, and analyze their causal associations.In the future, EMA should be further improved in research design and implementation forms, and its application should be broadened, so as to promote the implementation of personalized and precise intervention strategies, and assist the health growth of children and adolescents.