Published in:
01-12-2012
Adaptation and cognitive testing of physical activity measures for use with young, school-aged children and their parents
Authors:
Janie M. Leary, Christa Ice, Lesley Cottrell
Published in:
Quality of Life Research
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Issue 10/2012
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Abstract
Background
Increasing physical activity is one way to address the public health concern of childhood obesity. Physical activity measures for use with young, school-aged children are limited.
Methods
This study adapted two existing activity measures for young children, specifically self-efficacy and 7-day recall of physical activity.
Results
Through expert review and cognitive testing, the scales were adapted for use with young, school-aged children (ages 7–9). This article describes how the measures were adapted to insure comprehension of the child self-report measures. Reliability analyses provide support for their use in this population [Cronbach’s alpha = 0.76 for the self-efficacy scale; moderate correlation between parent report and child report of child physical activity over the past week (rho = 0.52, P < 0.01].
Conclusions
Suggestions are offered for researchers interested in using similar methods when designing and adapting physical activity measures for new populations.