RESUMEN
BACKGROUND/AIM: Little is known about the measurement properties of the self-administered Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) in Europe. The aim was to validate the self-administered GPAQ against accelerometry in Switzerland in German, French and Italian. METHODS: Participants of this cross-sectional study were recruited among members of the Swiss Food Panel (German-speaking and French-speaking samples) and as a convenience sample (Italian-speaking sample). They completed the GPAQ and wore an Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer during 7 days in 2014/2015. GPAQ and accelerometer data on total physical activity and different intensities, as well as sitting time, were compared using Spearman correlations and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 354 participants (50.6% women, mean age: 47.0 years) on physical activity, and for 366 on sitting time. Correlations were highest for vigorous physical activity (r=0.46) and sitting time (r=0.47). A significant sex difference was apparent for vigorous physical activity (men: r=0.35 vs women: r=0.55; p=0.02). Some age differences were present especially for total physical activity, with the lowest correlations found for those aged 60+ years. The correlation for sitting time was significantly higher in the youngest age group (r=0.61) compared with the middle (r=0.38, p=0.01) and the oldest age groups (r=0.37, p=0.03). Total physical activity was 2.8 times higher according to the GPAQ than to accelerometer data. CONCLUSIONS: The self-administered version of the GPAQ showed fair-to-moderate validity in the three languages tested, both for men and women and individuals aged ≤60 years. For older individuals, a careful interpretation of total physical activity is required.
RESUMEN
The aim of the project was to reach inactive people through primary care offices and motivate them to become more active for health purposes. Physical activity questionnaires based on the transtheoretical model (TM) of behaviour change were handed out to every person entering one of five primary care offices. All inactive people were entered into a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Individuals assigned to the feedback group were given feedback from their physician concerning their physical activity level. In addition, the advice plus group received further advice and stage matched leaflets and was offered a 45-min counselling session. Changes in physical activity behaviour were measured 7 weeks as well as 14 months after the intervention. Physicians and patients alike reacted positively to the project. Ninety percent of patients entering the primary care offices were willing to participate. Ninety percent of inactive people agreed to be entered into the RCT. The follow-up rate in this trial was 82% at 14 months. At 7 weeks, 35% of patients in the feedback group were now classified as active and 38% of patients in the advice plus group. At 14 months, 47% of the subjects in both groups were active. Inactive people can be reached effectively through primary care offices. Patients receiving feedback from their physician concerning their physical activity level improved their behaviour to the same extent as patients who were given further advice and written materials, and were offered a counselling session.