Age- and Sex-Specific Criterion Validity of the Health Survey for England Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Assessment Questionnaire as Compared With Accelerometry

Abstract

The criterion validity of the 2008 Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Assessment Questionnaire (PASBAQ) was examined in a nationally representative sample of 2,175 persons aged ≥16 years in England using accelerometry. Using accelerometer minutes/day greater than or equal to 200 counts as a criterion, Spearman's correlation coefficient (ρ) for PASBAQ-assessed total activity was 0.30 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.25, 0.35) in women and 0.20 (95% CI: 0.15, 0.26) in men. Correlations between accelerometer counts/minute of wear time and questionnaire-assessed relative energy expenditure (metabolic equivalent-minutes/day) were higher in women (ρ = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.46) than in men (ρ = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.38). Similar correlations were observed for minutes/day spent in vigorous activity (women: ρ = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.46; men: ρ = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.36) and moderate-to-vigorous activity (women: ρ = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.48; men: ρ = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.45). Correlations for time spent being sedentary (<100 counts/minute) were 0.30 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.35) and 0.25 (95% CI: 0.19, 0.30) in women and men, respectively. Sedentary behavior correlations showed no sex difference. The validity of sedentary behavior and total physical activity was higher in older age groups, but validity was higher in younger persons for vigorous-intensity activity. The PASBAQ is a useful and valid instrument for ranking individuals according to levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior.

Correlates of Agreement between Accelerometry and Self-reported Physical Activity

“…As observed in other studies (22,32), the relative and/or absolute agreement between self-reported and accelerometrybased PA and SB variables were age, sex, education, and weight status specific. This may be due to differences in fitness level, ability to understand the questionnaire items, adequacy of the accelerometry cut points used in this study, habitual patterns of PA and time use, and other factors.…”

Self-rated walking pace and all-cause, cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality: individual participant pooled analysis of 50 225 walkers from 11 population British cohorts

“…The criterion validity of the walking-related questions is unknown. In a convergent validity study of over 2000 adults, the Spearman’s correlation coefficients between accelerometry counts and walking of brisk/fast pace were 0.35 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.40) for women and 0.28 (95% CI 0.23 to 0.34) for men 17. The equivalent coefficients for total weekly questionnaire derived metabolic equivalents (MET)-min were 0.41 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.46) for women and 0.32 (95% CI 0.26 to 0.38) for men 17…”

Does physical activity moderate the association between alcohol drinking and all-cause, cancer and cardiovascular diseases mortality? A pooled analysis of eight British population cohorts

“…The PA measures used here have validity against accelerometry in a large population-based validation study 36. Frequency and duration of leisure time PAs in the 4 weeks prior to the interview were assessed across three domains: (1) light/heavy manual work/gardening/do-it-yourself activity; (2) walking for any purpose and (3) light, moderate and vigorous sports/exercise.…”

“…The questionnaire also included items on domestic activity but these were not included as part of the exposure variable in our analyses on the grounds of previous evidence highlighting the absence of links with all-cause mortality14 and CVD mortality 14 17. Metabolic equivalent task (MET)-hour/week was computed as MET for each specific activity36 multiplied by the number of hours the activity was performed per week. Extreme values of PA (on the basis of ≥5 SDs from the mean) were excluded.…”