title: Reliability and Validity of the Dutch Physical Activity Questionnaires for Children (PAQ-C) and Adolescents (PAQ-A).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was designed to validate the Dutch Physical Activity Questionnaires for Children (PAQ-C) and Adolescents (PAQ-A).
  
  
  METHODS
  After adjustment of the original Canadian PAQ-C and PAQ-A (i.e. translation/back-translation and evaluation by expert committee), content validity of both PAQs was assessed and calculated using item-level (I-CVI) and scale-level (S-CVI) content validity indexes. Inter-item and inter-rater reliability of 196 PAQ-C and 95 PAQ-A filled in by both children or adolescents and their parent, were evaluated. Inter-item reliability was calculated by Cronbach's alpha (α) and inter-rater reliability was examined by percent observed agreement and weighted kappa (κ). Concurrent validity of PAQ-A was examined in a subsample of 28 obese and 16 normal-weight children by comparing it with concurrently measured physical activity using a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test for the assessment of peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak).
  
  
  RESULTS
  For both PAQs, I-CVI ranged 0.67-1.00. S-CVI was 0.89 for PAQ-C and 0.90 for PAQ-A. A total of 192 PAQ-C and 94 PAQ-A were fully completed by both child and parent. Cronbach's α was 0.777 for PAQ-C and 0.758 for PAQ-A. Percent agreement ranged 59.9-74.0% for PAQ-C and 51.1-77.7% for PAQ-A, and weighted κ ranged 0.48-0.69 for PAQ-C and 0.51-0.68 for PAQ-A. The correlation between total PAQ-A score and VO2 peak - corrected for age, gender, height and weight - was 0.516 (p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both PAQs have an excellent content validity, an acceptable inter-item reliability and a moderate to good strength of inter-rater agreement. In addition, total PAQ-A score showed a moderate positive correlation with VO2 peak. Both PAQs have an acceptable to good reliability and validity, however, further validity testing is recommended to provide a more complete assessment of both PAQs.
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors: Liene
authors: L
authors: Bervoets
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Van Noten
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors: Sofie
authors: S
authors: Van Roosbroeck
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium ; Heart Centre Hasselt, Jessa Hospital, Stadsomvaart 11, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
authors: Dominique
authors: D
authors: Hansen
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors: Kim
authors: K
authors: Van Hoorenbeeck
authors: Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors: Els
authors: E
authors: Verheyen
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: Van Hal
authors: Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors: Vanessa
authors: V
authors: Vankerckhoven
keywords: Pediatrics; Physical activity; Reliability; Validation