Abstract
BackgroundTo assess physical activity (PA), a comparative measurement – evaluating one’s own PA compared to others – may be an appropriate method. In previous studies, the use of comparative measurements led to an effect known as unrealistic comparative optimism (UCO) – people being unrealistically optimistic about their behavior. Our aim was to use this comparative measurement in university students to quantify the prevalence of UCO at the group level and to draw conclusions on its validity.MethodsWe used data from the Nutrition and Physical Activity in Adolescence Study (NuPhA), a cross-sectional online survey that included only self-reports (n = 689). To assess PA among students, they were asked to rate their PA level compared to that of their same-aged fellow students. In addition, we used the Godin-Shephard leisure-time PA questionnaire and other questions on PA for comparisons. We used bivariate and cluster-based analyses to identify potential UCO.ResultsWe found that UCO at the group level led to an uneven distribution, with a higher proportion of students who rated themselves as being more physically active than average. However, the individual assessment of PA with a single and simple comparative question seemed to be valid.DiscussionA global single comparative question seems useful for studies where PA is measured as a covariate in university students.
Highlights
To assess physical activity (PA), a comparative measurement – evaluating one’s own PA compared to others – may be an appropriate method
While 29.2% of the participants indicated being physically active compared to fellow students, more students reported being physically more active than less active students
The individual assessment with the comparative question seemed appropriate because we found significant associations with paying attention to sufficient PA (p < 0.001), self-rated physical performance (p < 0.001), PA during the last week (p < 0.001), and a normal week (p < 0.001), the self-rated regularity of PA (p < 0.001), and the amount of sports activity per week (p < 0.001, Table 2)
Summary
To assess physical activity (PA), a comparative measurement – evaluating one’s own PA compared to others – may be an appropriate method. A widely used definition of PA was published by Caspersen et al [3], who categorized PA in daily life into occupational, sports, conditioning, household, and other activities This definition allows a clearer distinction between exercise and physical fitness. Over the last few years, research has mostly concentrated on direct measurement methods such as questionnaires, extensive item batteries, and accelerometers. Objective measures such as accelerometry and pedometry are cost- and time-consuming. Their integration into studies that use only questionnaires with self-reports is difficult
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