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The criterion validity of a last 7-day physical activity questionnaire (SAPAQ) for use in adolescents with a wide variation in body fat: the Stockholm Weight Development Study

International Journal of Obesity volume 30, pages 1019–1021 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to assess the criterion validity of a newly developed self-reported last 7-day physical activity questionnaire (SAPAQ) for use in Swedish adolescents with a wide variation in body fatness.

Measurements:

We compared the self-reported total number of MET-minutes with objectively assessed variables of physical activity obtained by accelerometry in 49 (18 male, 31 female subjects) 17-year-old adolescents.

Results:

Self-reported physical activity was significantly and inversely related to time spent sedentary (r=−0.45; P<0.001) and significantly and positively associated with time spent in physical activity (r=0.51; P<0.001) and the total amount of physical activity (r=0.49; P<0.001). Gender and body fat did not affect the associations between self-reported and objectively assessed physical activity.

Conclusion:

Our results indicate that the newly developed questionnaire is a valid method for ranking individuals in terms of the total amount of physical activity in Swedish adolescents.

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Acknowledgements

The data collection phase of this study was funded by the European Commission, Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources, Key action 1 ‘Food, nutrition and health’ programme as part of the project entitled ‘Dietary and genetic influences on susceptibility or resistance to weight gain on a high fat diet’ (QLK1-2000-00515). UE was supported by a grant from the Swedish National Center for Research in Sports. We are thankful to Prevnut, CNT, NOVUM, Stockholm, Sweden for the loan of the Bod Pod® and the activity monitors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge, UK

    U Ekelund

  2. Department of Physical Education and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden

    U Ekelund

  3. Obesity Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

    M Neovius, Y Linné & S Rössner

Authors
  1. U Ekelund
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  2. M Neovius
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  3. Y Linné
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  4. S Rössner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to U Ekelund.

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Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on International Journal of Obesity website (http://www.nature.com/ijo)

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Ekelund, U., Neovius, M., Linné, Y. et al. The criterion validity of a last 7-day physical activity questionnaire (SAPAQ) for use in adolescents with a wide variation in body fat: the Stockholm Weight Development Study. Int J Obes 30, 1019–1021 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803207

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