Accuracy of Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels in Obese Adolescents

Introduction. Self-reported measures of habitual physical activity rely completely on the respondent’s ability to provide accurate information on their own physical activity behaviours. Our aim was to investigate if obese adolescents could accurately report their physical activity levels (PAL) using...

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Main Authors: Sarah A. Elliott, Kimberley A. Baxter, Peter S. W. Davies, Helen Truby
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/808659
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author Sarah A. Elliott
Kimberley A. Baxter
Peter S. W. Davies
Helen Truby
author_facet Sarah A. Elliott
Kimberley A. Baxter
Peter S. W. Davies
Helen Truby
author_sort Sarah A. Elliott
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Self-reported measures of habitual physical activity rely completely on the respondent’s ability to provide accurate information on their own physical activity behaviours. Our aim was to investigate if obese adolescents could accurately report their physical activity levels (PAL) using self-reported diaries. Methods. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured using doubly labelled water (DLW) and resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured via indirect calorimetry. Activity energy expenditure (AEE) and PAL values were derived from measured TEE and REE. Self-reported, four-day activity diaries were used to calculate daily MET values and averaged to give an estimated PAL value (ePAL). Results. Twenty-two obese adolescents, mean age 13.2±1.8 years, mean BMI 31.3±4.6 kg/m2, completed the study. No significant differences between mean measured and estimated PAL values were observed (1.37±0.13 versus 1.40±0.34, P=0.74). Bland Altman analysis illustrated a significant relationship (r=-0.76, P<0.05) between the two methods; thus the bias was not consistent across a range of physical activity levels, with the more inactive overreporting their physical activity. Conclusion. At an individual level, obese adolescents are unlikely to be able to provide an accurate estimation of their own activity.
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spelling doaj-art-c4974d5b09ac4ec99fac084cec3d7dbd2025-08-20T03:23:07ZengWileyJournal of Nutrition and Metabolism2090-07242090-07322014-01-01201410.1155/2014/808659808659Accuracy of Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels in Obese AdolescentsSarah A. Elliott0Kimberley A. Baxter1Peter S. W. Davies2Helen Truby3Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, AustraliaChildren’s Nutrition Research Centre, Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, AustraliaChildren’s Nutrition Research Centre, Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, AustraliaDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Notting Hill, VIC 3168, AustraliaIntroduction. Self-reported measures of habitual physical activity rely completely on the respondent’s ability to provide accurate information on their own physical activity behaviours. Our aim was to investigate if obese adolescents could accurately report their physical activity levels (PAL) using self-reported diaries. Methods. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured using doubly labelled water (DLW) and resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured via indirect calorimetry. Activity energy expenditure (AEE) and PAL values were derived from measured TEE and REE. Self-reported, four-day activity diaries were used to calculate daily MET values and averaged to give an estimated PAL value (ePAL). Results. Twenty-two obese adolescents, mean age 13.2±1.8 years, mean BMI 31.3±4.6 kg/m2, completed the study. No significant differences between mean measured and estimated PAL values were observed (1.37±0.13 versus 1.40±0.34, P=0.74). Bland Altman analysis illustrated a significant relationship (r=-0.76, P<0.05) between the two methods; thus the bias was not consistent across a range of physical activity levels, with the more inactive overreporting their physical activity. Conclusion. At an individual level, obese adolescents are unlikely to be able to provide an accurate estimation of their own activity.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/808659
spellingShingle Sarah A. Elliott
Kimberley A. Baxter
Peter S. W. Davies
Helen Truby
Accuracy of Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels in Obese Adolescents
Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism
title Accuracy of Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels in Obese Adolescents
title_full Accuracy of Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels in Obese Adolescents
title_fullStr Accuracy of Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels in Obese Adolescents
title_full_unstemmed Accuracy of Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels in Obese Adolescents
title_short Accuracy of Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels in Obese Adolescents
title_sort accuracy of self reported physical activity levels in obese adolescents
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/808659
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