For convergent validity ( i.e. , the relationship between PAQs and other measures ) , similar overall associations were found between Past-week PAQs and Usual-week PAQs .
However , PAQs were more strongly associated with direct measures of physical activity ( e.g. , accelerometer ) than indirect measures of physical activity ( i.e. , physical fitness ) , irrespective of recall methods .
Only a few interview-administered PAQs exhibited positive ratings for a single psychometric property , although the other properties were either rated as poor or question able , demonstrating the limitations of current PAQs .
Comparison of the 2001 BRFSS and the IPAQ Physical Activity Questionnaires.
PURPOSE The 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System ( BRFSS ) physical activity module and the International Physical Activity Question naire ( IPAQ ) are used in population studies to determine the prevalence of physical activity . The comparability of the prevalence estimates has not been compared in U.S. adults . This study compares the physical activity prevalence estimates from the BRFSS and the IPAQ . METHODS A telephone survey was administered to a r and om sample of 11,211 U.S. adults aged 18 - 99 yr who were enrolled in the National Physical Activity and Weight Loss Survey . Data were analyzed from 9945 adults who provided complete data on the BRFSS and the IPAQ .  Prevalence estimates were computed ( 1 ) applying the BRFSS scoring scheme for both question naires ( 2 ) . Kappa statistics were used to compare prevalence estimates generated from the BRFSS and the IPAQ . RESULTS When scored using the BRFSS protocol , agreement between physical activity categories was fair ( kappa = 0.34 - 0.49 ) . Prevalence estimates were higher on the IPAQ than the BRFSS for the lowest category ( inactive ) by 0.1 - 3.9 % and for the highest category ( meets recommendations ) by 0.2 - 9.7 % . When scored using their own scoring , agreement between physical activity categories was lower ( kappa = 0.26 - 0.39 ) . The prevalence estimates on the IPAQ were higher than on the BRFSS for the lowest physical activity category by 0.2 - 13.3 % and for the highest physical activity category by 0 - 16.4 % . Differences in physical activity categories were observed for sex , age , income , education , and body mass index on both question naires . CONCLUSION Because of differences in the physical activity prevalence estimates , direct comparison of the BRFSS and IPAQ prevalence estimates is not recommended
For convergent validity ( i.e. , the relationship between PAQs and other measures ) , similar overall associations were found between Past-week PAQs and Usual-week PAQs .
However , PAQs were more strongly associated with direct measures of physical activity ( e.g. , accelerometer ) than indirect measures of physical activity ( i.e. , physical fitness ) , irrespective of recall methods .
Only a few interview-administered PAQs exhibited positive ratings for a single psychometric property , although the other properties were either rated as poor or question able , demonstrating the limitations of current PAQs .