Reliability and validity of a school-based physical activity questionnaire.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the reliability and validity of the School Health Action, Planning and Evaluation System (SHAPES) physical activity questionnaire, a machine-readable questionnaire designed to collect data from all students in a school from grades 6 to 12 and to provide feedback to the school for planning and evaluation.


METHODS
Study 1 assessed test-retest reliability by administering the questionnaire twice, 1 wk apart to 2812 students in grades 9-12. Study 2 assessed criterion validity using MTI accelerometers worn consecutively for 7 d, and measured height and weight (N = 67, grades 6-12).


RESULTS
The overall kappa/weighted kappa coefficient for the 1-wk test-retest reliability of the questionnaire items indicated moderate agreement (mean 0.57 +/- 0.24). Self-reported and accelerometer-measured average daily time spent performing moderate to vigorous physical activity were significantly correlated (Spearman r = 0.44, P < 0.01); however, students tended to overreport physical activity. Height and weight were not consistently over- or underreported. Self-reported and measured body mass index were significantly correlated (Spearman r = 0.90, P < 0.001). Classification of weight status by body mass index was similar using self-reported values compared with measured values.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of these studies suggest that the SHAPES physical activity questionnaire has acceptable reliability and validity and is suitable for use in large-scale school-based data collections for child and adolescent populations.
Wong
Suzy L
SL
Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada.
Leatherdale
Scott T
ST
Manske
Stephen R
SR
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires