The criterion validity of a last 7-day physical activity questionnaire (SAPAQ) for use in adolescents with a wide variation in body fat: the Stockholm Weight Development Study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to assess the criterion validity of a newly developed self-reported last 7-day physical activity questionnaire (SAPAQ) for use in Swedish adolescents with a wide variation in body fatness.


METHODS
We compared the self-reported total number of MET-minutes with objectively assessed variables of physical activity obtained by accelerometry in 49 (18 male, 31 female subjects) 17-year-old adolescents.


RESULTS
Self-reported physical activity was significantly and inversely related to time spent sedentary (r=-0.45; P<0.001) and significantly and positively associated with time spent in physical activity (r=0.51; P<0.001) and the total amount of physical activity (r=0.49; P<0.001). Gender and body fat did not affect the associations between self-reported and objectively assessed physical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that the newly developed questionnaire is a valid method for ranking individuals in terms of the total amount of physical activity in Swedish adolescents.
Ekelund
U
U
Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge, UK. ulf.ekelund@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk
Neovius
M
M
Linné
Y
Y
Rössner
S
S
D000054:Acceleration; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors