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Table 4 Reliability and validity studies of physical activity estimates

From: A systematic review of publications assessing reliability and validity of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2004–2011

First author (year)

Focus of research

Research findings

Yore (2007)

Reliability and validity using comparison with physical measures and repeated telephone interviews

Moderate activity group k = .35-.53

Vigorous activity k = 80-.86;

Recommended activity k = .67-.84;

Strengthening measures k= .85-.92

Self-reports/ personal log k = .40 -.51

Self-reports/accelerometer k = ≤ .31

Yore (2005)

Reliability using repeated measures and self-reported logs

1-5 days between surveys k = 1.0

10-18 days between surveys k =.45

10-19 days between surveys k =.40

Everson (2005)

Reliability using test/retest telephone surveys including gender and racial differences among indicators

Moderate activity ICC = .32-.58

Vigorous activity ICC = .55-.85

Leisure activity ICC = .46-.68

Occupational activity ICC =.82

Sedentary indicators ICC = .32-.90

Brown (2004)

Reliability using test/retest telephone surveys

Percent agreement for classification of active/insufficiently active/ sedentary 77.6;

All activity groups k = .23-.56

Walking measures ICC = .45

Moderate activity ICC= .44

Vigorous activity ICC= .39

Hutto (2008)

Reliability of questions when question order is changed

Question order effect BRFSS and alternate order, respectively

Walking (37.7 , 41.0)

Vigorous Activity (34.7, 37.0)

Moderate Activity (40.3, 30.5)

Meeting Physical Activity Recommendations (53.9, 51.7)

Pettee (2008)

Reliability of questions over different time periods

ICC= .42 and .55 for 3 week and 1 week test/retest on TV watching and physical activity question

Carlson (2009)

Validity testing comparing prevalence across surveys and methods

Active: mean difference BRFSS/ NHIS: 18.1

Active: mean difference BRFSS/ NHANES: 14.8

Inactive: mean difference BRFSS/ NHIS: 26.8

Inactive: mean difference BRFSS/ NHANES: 18.5

Reis (2005)

Validity testing of multiple indicators from OPAQ to single question on the BRFSS

Agreement between single BRFSS occupational measure and OPAQ: k= .71