Randall Rzewnicki

Addressing overreporting on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) telephone survey with a population sample

OBJECTIVE To examine a possible problem of overreporting and to describe the degree of error with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short telephone protocol. DESIGN Cross-sectional study, using two different physical activity (PA) self-report protocols. SETTING Telephone interviews about PA in Belgium. SUBJECTS Fifty adults who had previously been interviewed with IPAQ in a national survey. RESULTS Seventy-five per cent reported less PA with the modified procedure than with the IPAQ. Twenty-three of the 50 individuals were found to have reported some amounts of PA with the IPAQ (either walking, or vigorous or moderate PA) when they should have reported none. In total, based on their revised reports of PA, 50% fewer persons met PA recommendations than was the case with IPAQ. The overreporting could not be related to types of error-prone individuals. CONCLUSIONS Overreporting of PA in population samples is a serious problem that could be reduced by implementing procedure changes without changing the IPAQ items themselves.

Towards a European Health Monitoring System

The relationships between physical activity (PA) and a wide variety of health and well-being outcomes have been well established in the last decade. Regular PA reduces the risk of premature death and disability from many medical conditions, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and osteoporosis. There is also evidence for a positive relationship with well-being, particularly in alleviating depression and anxiety. Reduction of the large public health burden associated with a sedentary lifestyle has become a priority in many countries and is endorsed by the World Health Organization.