title: A comparison of self-reported leisure-time physical activity and measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in adolescents and adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systematic reviews and results of Statistics Canada surveys have shown a discrepancy between self-reported and measured physical activity. This study compares these two methods and examines specific activities to explain the limitations of each method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data are from cycle 1 (2007 to 2009) and cycle 2 (2009 to 2011) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey. The survey involved an interview in the respondent's home and a visit to a mobile examination centre (MEC) for physical measurements. In a questionnaire, respondents were asked about 21 leisure-time physical activities. They were requested to wear an Actical accelerometer for seven days after the MEC visit. The analysis pertains to respondents aged 12 to 79 who wore the accelerometer for 10 or more hours on at least four days (n = 7,158).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Averages of self-reported leisure-time physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity measured by accelerometer were within a couple of minutes of each other. However, at the individual level, the difference between estimates could exceed 37.5 minutes per day in one direction or the other, and around 40% of the population met physical activity thresholds according to one measurement method, but not according to the other. The disagreement is supported by weak observed correlations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lack of a systematic trend in the relationship between the two methods of measuring physical activity precludes the creation of correction factors or being confident in using one method instead of the other. Accelerometers and questionnaires measure different aspects of physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Health Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A0T6.
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Garriguet
authors.forename: Rachel C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Colley
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy / Q000592:standards*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report / Q000592:standards*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Data collection; direct measure; misclassification; motor activity; movement