Questionnaire-based scoring system for screening moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in middle-aged Japanese workers

TL;DR

A new questionnaire and scoring system was developed to better identify middle-aged Japanese workers with low physical activity levels.

Contribution

A novel questionnaire-based scoring system for predicting low moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in Japanese workers with higher accuracy than existing tools.

Findings

The developed scoring system achieved an AUC of 0.741 for predicting low MVPA.

Incorporating BMI slightly improved the predictive accuracy of the system.

The system outperformed conventional Japanese health checkup questionnaires in predicting low MVPA.

Abstract

Objectives: Currently available questionnaires have limited ability to measure physical activity (PA) using accelerometers as a gold standard. This study aimed to develop a PA questionnaire for middle-aged Japanese workers and propose a PA scoring system for predicting low moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA).

Methods: A total of 428 participants (median age 49 years; 75.8% men) participated in a 7-day PA measurement using an accelerometer and a questionnaire. The association between questionnaire responses and low MVPA (<150 min/wk) was assessed by logistic regression analysis. A score was assigned to each response based on the correlation coefficients of the multivariate model. The ability of the sum score to predict low MVPA was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results: Five questionnaire items were used for measuring PA scores (range: 0-50; higher scores indicated a higher probability of low MVPA). The AUC was 0.741 (95% CI, 0.689-0.792), and the sensitivity and specificity at the optimal cut-off value were 66.7% and 68.2%, respectively. This predictive ability was slightly increased by body mass index (AUC 0.745 [95% CI, 0.693-0.796]; sensitivity 69.9%; specificity 66.9%). These predictive values were greater than those of conventional questionnaires used in health checkups in Japan (P < .05).

Conclusions: This questionnaire-based PA scoring system showed moderate accuracy in predicting low MVPA. It is useful for screening physically inactive workers and promoting PA.

Key points What is already known on this topic
Self-administered questionnaires for assessing physical activity are preferred given their suitability for application in large groups.These questionnaires have limited ability to measure physical activity using accelerometers as a gold standard because of recall bias, potentially overestimating physical activity.

Self-administered questionnaires for assessing physical activity are preferred given their suitability for application in large groups.

These questionnaires have limited ability to measure physical activity using accelerometers as a gold standard because of recall bias, potentially overestimating physical activity.

What this study adds
In this study, we developed a questionnaire for screening daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among middle-aged Japanese workers and proposed a questionnaire-based scoring system for predicting physically inactive individuals.The accuracy of physical activity scores for predicting low MVPA was higher than that of standard questionnaires administered during health checkups in Japan.

In this study, we developed a questionnaire for screening daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among middle-aged Japanese workers and proposed a questionnaire-based scoring system for predicting physically inactive individuals.

The accuracy of physical activity scores for predicting low MVPA was higher than that of standard questionnaires administered during health checkups in Japan.

How this study might affect research, practice, or policy
The questionnaire and scoring system proposed in this study is useful for screening physically inactive individuals and promoting MVPA in the field of public health.

The questionnaire and scoring system proposed in this study is useful for screening physically inactive individuals and promoting MVPA in the field of public health.

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