title: Adaptation and reliability of neighborhood environment walkability scale (NEWS) for Iran: A questionnaire for assessing environmental correlates of physical activity.
abstract: Background:In spite of the increased range of inactivity and obesity among Iranian adults, insufficient research has been done on environmental factors influencing physical activity. As a result adapting a subjective (self-report) measurement tool for assessment of physical environment in Iran is critical. Accordingly, in this study Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) was adapted for Iran and also its reliability was evaluated.Methods:This study was conducted using a systematic adaptation method consisting of 3 steps: translate-back translation procedures, revision by a multidisciplinary panel of local experts and a cognitive study. Then NEWS-Iran was completed among adults aged 18 to 65 years (N=19) with an interval of 15 days. Intra-Class Coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate the reliability of the adapted questionnaire.Results:NEWS-Iran is an adapted version of NEWS-A (abbreviated) and in the adaptation process five items were added from other versions of NEWS, two subscales were significantly modified for a shorter and more effective questionnaire, and five new items were added about climate factors and site-specific uses. NEWS-Iran showed almost perfect reliability (ICCs: more than 0.8) for all subscales, with items having moderate to almost perfect reliability scores (ICCs: 0.56-0.96).Conclusion:This study introduced NEWS-Iran, which is a reliable version of NEWS for measuring environmental perceptions related to physical activity behavior adapted for Iran. It is the first adapted version of NEWS which demonstrates a systematic adaptation process used by earlier studies. It can be used for other developing countries with similar environmental, social and cultural context.
authors.affiliation: PhD in Urban Design, Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Design and Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. pantea.hakimian@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pantea
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hakimian
authors.affiliation: PhD in Urban Design, Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Design and Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. azadeh_lak@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lak
keywords: Environment; Iran; Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale; Physical activity; Psychometrics