Comparison of Short and Full-Length International Physical Activity Questionnaires
in Journal of Physical Activity and HealthClick name to view affiliation
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Background:
Our study aims to compare the short and full-length International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ).
Methods:
Both versions were completed by 186 subjects >14 y living in southern Brazil. Half answered the short and then the long version; the remaining subjects followed the reverse order. Physical inactivity (PI) was defined as <150 min/wk spent in moderate or vigorous activities. The Bland and Altman method and the kappa statistic were used to assess agreement between the continuous and categorical outcomes, respectively.
Results:
The prevalence of PI was 50% higher with the short IPAQ (42% vs. 28%). The kappa value was 53.7%. Although the correlation coefficient was moderately high (r=0.61), agreement between methods was low.
Conclusions:
Both analyses used show that the short and full-length IPAQ versions have poor agreement. Utilization of inappropriate statistics would lead to misinterpretation. Researchers should exercise care before comparing studies using different IPAQ versions.
Hallal, Victora, Lima, and Valle are with the postgraduate program in epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, 96030-002, Pelotas, RS, Brazil. Wells is with the MRC Childhood Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond St, London WC1N 3JH UK.
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