The validity of the non-exercise activity thermogenesis questionnaire evaluated by objectively measured daily physical activity by the triaxial accelerometer

BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is a major cardiovascular risk factor. Recently, we showed that non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) assessed by the self-reported questionnaire is favorably associated with metabolic risks in patients with type 2 diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to examine the validity of the questionnaire by comparing with objectively measured daily physical activity (PA) by using the triaxial accelerometer. METHODS Daily physical activity level (PAL) of 51 participants (24 men and 27 women) with type 2 diabetes was measured by the triaxial accelerometer. At the same time, we evaluated their NEAT score using our original questionnaire modified from a compendium of physical activities. RESULTS The NEAT score was significantly and positively correlated with PAL measured by the triaxial accelerometer (r = 0.604, P < 0.001). PAL was also significantly and positively correlated with both the locomotive NEAT score and the non-locomotive NEAT score (r = 0.444, P = 0.001 and r = 0.526, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The NEAT score measured by the self-reported questionnaire was highly correlated with PAL measured by the triaxial accelerometer. Our original NEAT questionnaire may be useful for evaluation of daily PAL in clinical practices.