Validating the multimedia activity recall for children and adolescents in a large New Zealand sample Research Completed

Title

Validating the multimedia activity recall for children and adolescents in a large New Zealand sample

Lead Author

Ralph Maddison , Louise S Foley, Tim S Olds, Kate Ridley,Yannan Jianga

Organisation(s)

University of Auckland

Publication Year

2013

Publisher

Taylor & Francis Online

Contacts

Ralph Maddison

Email: r.maddison@auckland.ac.nz

Abstract

The aim of the study was to validate the self-report Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adolescents (MARCA) against accelerometry for the assessment of physical activity in New Zealand children. Participants (n = 716, 10–18 years) recalled 3–4 days of activity using the MARCA and underwent a partially overlapping 7-day accelerometry protocol during a national survey. Spearman correlation coefficients (ρ) assessed the association between accelerometer-derived counts per minute and MARCA-derived physical activity level and time in locomotion. Both data sources estimated time spent in light and moderate–vigorous physical activity. Association and agreement between methods for light physical activity and moderate–vigorous physical activity was assessed using correlations and Bland–Altman plots respectively, and paired t-tests conducted. Accelerometer-derived activity counts were moderately correlated with both MARCA-derived physical activity level and locomotion (ρ = 0.38, P < 0.0001). The correlation between methods was –0.14 for light physical activity and 0.28 for moderate–vigorous physical activity (P < 0.0001). The MARCA overestimated moderate–vigorous physical activity compared with accelerometry (120 min, P < 0.0001), which increased as moderate–vigorous physical activity time increased. Some sex and ethnicity (Māori [indigenous] versus non-Māori) differences were observed. Overall, the MARCA indicated moderate validity for assessment of physical activity level, locomotion and moderate–vigorous physical activity and poor validity for assessment of light physical activity. This was comparable to other self-report tools. The MARCA has utility for future large-scale research.

Keywords:

MARCA; Physical activity, children

How to access

Areas of Focus

Population Groups

Settings (location)

Topics

Views

1846

Added

September 13, 2013