title: The accuracy of self-reports of physical activity.
abstract: This investigation determined the accuracy of self-reports of physical activity compared to observations obtained surreptitiously. Subjects were 44 adults engaged in 1 h of their preferred physical activity while actual activity levels were surreptitiously obtained and compared to immediate self-reported estimates of physical activity. Results indicated that subjects were moderately accurate in recalling their physical activity levels (R = 0.62) but underestimated sedentary activities and overestimated aerobic activities by over 300%. Males overestimated their activity relative to females, and obese subjects underestimated their activity levels compared to normal-weight subjects. Finally, a number of two-way interactions that moderated the accuracy of those subjects engaging in high chronic levels of physical activity were observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Memphis State University, TN 38152.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Klesges
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Eck
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Mellon
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fulliton
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Somes
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hanson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors