Measuring Activity in Children and Adolescents Using Self-Report

TLDR

This study examined the psychometric properties of two versions of a commonly used 7‑day physical activity self‑report, the PAQ‑C and PAQ‑A. The authors assessed internal consistency, stability, and situational effects of the PAQ‑C and PAQ‑A in 210 children at ages 11 and 13, and evaluated concurrent validity of the PAQ‑A in a 49‑person subsample at age 13 by correlating questionnaire scores with Actigraph‑measured activity. The PAQ‑C and PAQ‑A demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach alphas 0.72–0.88), with summer administration slightly lowering the PAQ‑C alpha, and the PAQ‑A showed acceptable concurrent validity (ρ = 0.56–0.63 with Actigraph measures).

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the psychometric properties of two versions of a commonly used physical activity 7-d self-report, the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Methods: We longitudinally examined the internal consistency, stability, and situational effects of the PAQ-C and PAQ-A in a cohort of children (N = 210) at ages 11 and 13 yr. Statistical analysis included factor loading and standardized Cronbach coefficient alphas. We cross-sectionally examined concurrent validity of the PAQ-A in a subsample of our cohort (N = 49) at age 13 by comparing it with concurrently measured physical activity using an activity monitor (Actigraph). Spearman correlation coefficients were used for this analysis. Results: Standardized Cronbach alphas ranged from 0.72 to 0.88. A subsample analysis suggested that completing the questionnaires during the summer months slightly reduced the standardized alpha for the PAQ-C, but not the PAQ-A. Associations between the PAQ-A (revised) summary score and activity monitor variables were rho = 0.56 for total PA and rho = 0.63 for moderate through vigorous activity (P < 0.05). Associations between individual PAQ-A questions and activity monitor variables for the same time frame ranged from rho = 0.41 to 0.62 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The PAQ-C and PAQ-A show good internal consistency. The PAQ-A has acceptable validity.