Validity of a questionnaire evaluating physical activity level in young children.

OBJECTIVE To assess the validity of a questionnaire for evaluating the physical activity of young children as reported by parents. METHODS Twenty-one male 1st grade elementary school children were the study subjects. The questionnaire contained 3 questions relating to the physical activity of children and was completed by their parents. These questions were: preference for physical activity: like very much, like, don't like; physical activity compared to peers: more than, the same as, less than peers; time spent on exercise activity per day: <30 min, 30-60 min, 60 min or more. We also assessed physical activity more objectively, using a small instrument for calculating total steps, energy expenditure originating from exercise, and total energy expenditure per day. The contribution of the questionnaire items to the objective indices was evaluated by linear regression analysis. RESULTS Preference for physical activity was significantly associated with all the objective indices. Physical activity compared with peers had links with total energy expenditure. Time spent in activity was related to total steps and energy expenditure from exercise. CONCLUSION All the questionnaire items were valid measures for evaluating the physical activity level in young children and could be applied to a large epidemiological survey.