Validation of a Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool for Adults With Limited Resources

• Published in: Journal of nutrition education and behavior 2024-12
• Main Authors: Li, Cheng, Auld, Garry, Crouter, Scott E., Palmer-Keenan, Debra M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: community-based research; instrument psychometrics; physical activity assessment; program evaluation
• ISSN: 1499-4046; 1878-2620; 1878-2620
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2024.10.011

To validate a Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP). Phase 1: test-retest reliability based on 2 survey administrations; Phase 2: concurrent validity triangulated with accelerometer data; Phase 3: sensitivity to change and responsiveness and secondary analysis of EFNEP national dataset. Community centers and/or EFNEP classes across the US. Phase 1: 75 adults; Phase 2: 106 adults; and Phase 3: 53,393 adults. Test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and sensitivity to change and responsiveness. Test-retest reliability: intraclass correlation, κ, and Spearman correlation coefficient (SCC); concurrent validity: SCC; sensitivity to change: standardized response mean, effect size, and paired t tests; responsiveness: minimal important difference. The Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool's test-retest results were moderate (intraclass correlation = 0.77–0.84; κ = 0.55–0.61; SCC = 0.59–0.84). Concurrent validity differed by questions but was highest for the muscle-strengthening question (SCC = 0.87). All questions demonstrated moderate sensitivity to change and responsiveness. Patterns between non-Hispanics and Hispanics were similar. The study resulted in a brief, validated, nationally tested questionnaire for evaluating physical activity changes for non-Hispanic adults with limited resources, which could be included in short surveys. It could be further validated among other populations.