Test-retest repeatability and relative validity of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire in a developing country context.
BACKGROUND
The increasing prevalence of chronic lifestyle diseases in developing countries warrants reliable and valid surveillance of physical activity levels in the population. This study assesses the test-retest repeatability and criterion validity of the WHO-recommended Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) in Vietnamese adults during the dry and wet seasons.


METHODS
In 2007 a representative sample of 169 adults (25-64 years) was recruited to determine the GPAQ reliability and validity. GPAQ assesses time and intensity of physical activities spent during a usual week. To assess short and long term reliability, participants completed the GPAQ twice during the dry season 2 weeks apart and again 2 months later during the wet season. For validation purposes, participants wore an accelerometer during the 7 days before the first and last GPAQ assessments.


RESULTS
The total GPAQ score showed repeatability correlations of 0.69 after 2 weeks and of 0.55 after 2 months. Total GPAQ score and accelerometer data showed validity correlations of 0.34 and 0.20 in the dry and wet season, respectively. There was a difference in physical activity patterns between the dry and wet seasons.


CONCLUSIONS
GPAQ is suitable for surveillance of physical activity among adults in Vietnam.
Trinh
Oanh T H
OT
Centre for Physical Activity and Health, University of Sydney, Australia.
Nguyen
Nguyen Do
ND
van der Ploeg
Hidde P
HP
Dibley
Michael J
MJ
Bauman
Adrian
A
D056044:Actigraphy; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014744:Vietnam