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Clinical Studies and Practice

Validating measures of free-living physical activity in overweight and obese subjects using an accelerometer

International Journal of Obesity volume 38, pages 1011–1014 (2014)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background:

Free-living physical activity can be assessed with an accelerometer to estimate energy expenditure but its validity in overweight and obese subjects remains unknown.

Objective:

Here, we validated published prediction equations derived in a lean population with the TracmorD accelerometer (DirectLife, Philips Consumer Lifestyle) in a population of overweight and obese. We also explored possible improvements of new equations specifically developed in overweight and obese subjects.

Design:

Subjects were 11 men and 25 women (age: 41±7 years; body mass index: 31.0±2.5 kg m−2). Physical activity was monitored under free-living conditions with TracmorD, whereas total energy expenditure was measured simultaneously with doubly-labeled water. Physical activity level (PAL) and activity energy expenditure (AEE) were calculated from total energy expenditure and sleeping metabolic rate.

Results:

The published prediction equation explained 47% of the variance of the measured PAL (P<0.001). PAL estimates were unbiased (errors (bias±95% confidence interval): −0.02±0.28). Measured and predicted AEE/body weight were highly correlated (r2=58%, P<0.001); however, the prediction model showed a significant bias of 8 kJ kg−1 per day or 17.4% of the average AEE/body weight. The new prediction equation of AEE/body weight developed in the obese group showed no bias.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, equations derived with the TracmorD allow valid assessment of PAL and AEE/body weight in overweight and obese subjects. There is evidence that estimates of AEE/body weight could be affected by gender. Equations specifically developed in overweight and obese can improve the accuracy of predictions of AEE/body weight.

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Acknowledgements

The research was funded by the Maastricht University Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT01015508.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    G Valenti, S G J A Camps, S P M Verhoef & K R Westerterp

  2. Personal Health Solutions, Philips Research Laboratories, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    A G Bonomi

Authors
  1. G Valenti
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  2. S G J A Camps
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  3. S P M Verhoef
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  4. A G Bonomi
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  5. K R Westerterp
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G Valenti.

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Competing interests

AGB is employed at Philips Research Laboratories. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

KRW and SPMV designed the study. SGJAC and SPMV collected the data. GV analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. KRW and AGB contributed to the interpretation of the data and reviewed the manuscript. The study was executed under supervision of KRW. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Valenti, G., Camps, S., Verhoef, S. et al. Validating measures of free-living physical activity in overweight and obese subjects using an accelerometer. Int J Obes 38, 1011–1014 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2013.195

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