COMPARISON OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRES AND WEEKLY EXERCISE DIARIES IN OVERWEIGHT WOMEN

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1342 Questionnaires are commonly used to assess physical activity, however it is unclear whether these questionnaires provide comparable results in overweight adults across weight loss. The purpose of this study was to compare data obtained from two frequently used physical activity questionnaires, the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAFF) and Bouchard 3-Day Physical Activity Record (PAR), in overweight women both prior to and following weight loss. Data were collected on 125 sedentary, overweight women (BMI = 32.5±4.0 kg/m2; age = 36.9±5.5 years). The behavioral weight loss program consisted of subjects reducing calorie intake (1200-1500 kcal/day) and increasing exercise (40 minutes per day, 5 days per week). Physical activity was assessed at baseline and at 6 months. In addition, subjects were instructed to record their exercise in weekly diaries during the six-month intervention. Spearman's rho correlation coefficients were obtained between these questionnaires at baseline, 6-months, and based on the change in physical activity. Results showed no significant correlation between the PAFF and PAR questionnaires at baseline (rho=0.04), 6 months (rho=0.16), or for the change in activity (rho=0.15). Physical activity obtained via the PAFF Questionnaire was significantly correlated with the sum of the exercise recorded in the weekly diaries (rho=0.28, p<0.05). Further, change in body weight was significantly correlated with physical activity assessed by the PAFF Questionnaire at 6-months (rho=0.19, p<0.05) and the change in physical activity from baseline to 6-months based on the PAFF Questionnaire (rho=0.18, p<0.05). These results suggest that the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire may be preferred when assessing physical activity in overweight adults participating in a weight loss program. Supported by: National Institutes of Health (HL56127 and DK46204)