A Short Review of Validated Questionnaires for Evaluating Levels of Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Childhood and adolescent obesity becomes a worldwide health problem, as for the past years the prevalence of obesity amongst youngsters has reached very high levels. The increased levels of obesity at younger age rises concern at a global basis, therefore the prevalence of childhood obesity sets enormous pressure on healthcare system. Obesity is a complex trait influenced not only by genetic factors, but also by other such as: physical inactivity and unhealthy diet or overeating as well as weight status misperception. Some of the measures needed to overcome these factors is that the intervention programs used to prevent or combat obesity, must include assessment and correction of these factors, as well as monitoring their evolution over time. Questionnaires are efficient instruments that can be used for the evaluation of such parameters. This study aims to revise the scientific literature, from the last five years, to identify and centralize the most reliable and valid questionnaires created and used for the assessment of physical activity in children and adolescents.