VALIDATION OF INTERVIEWER-ADMINISTERED AND SELF-ADMINISTERED PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY CHECKLISTS FOR 5TH-GRADE STUDENTS

The purpose of the study was to evaluate two physical activity recall instruments appropriate for use in epidemiologic studies of fifth grad e children. The instruments were similar, except one (PACI) was admini stered in a personal interview, and the other (SAPAC) was self-complet ed in a group setting. Both forms required children to report the minu tes during the previous day they spent in 21 common physical activitie s that represented a range of intensities, plus sedentary pursuits. To validate the recalls, children simultaneously wore an accelerometer ( motion sensor) and a heart rate monitor for at least 8 h the day befor e the interview. Subjects were 55 boys and 70 girls from four regions of the United States. The Pearson correlation between the self- and in terviewer-administered forms was 0.76 (P < 0.001). The interviewer-adm inistered form correlated 0.51 (P < 0.001) with the heart rate index a nd 0.33 (P < 0.001) with the accelerometer score. The self-administere d form correlated 0.57 (P < 0.001) with the heart rate index and 0.30, (P < 0.001) with the accelerometer score. It is concluded that both s elf-report forms received moderate support for their validity in all g ender and ethnic subgroups. The self-administered format is more cost- effective.