TY - JOUR
T1 - The effect of question order on reporting physical activity and walking behavior
AU - Hutto, Brent
AU - Sharpe, Patricia A.
AU - Granner, Michelle L.
AU - Addy, Cheryl L.
AU - Hooker, Steven
PY - 2008/1
Y1 - 2008/1
N2 - Background: Question, order might affect self-reported regular physical activity (PA) measured with items from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) PA module. Methods: A telephone survey was conducted using 2 forms (N = 1004, N = 212) with varying PA question order. The standard form, presented moderatePA, vigorous-PA, and walking questions, in that order, whereas the alternate form presented walking questions, followed by moderate-PA, and then vigorous-PA questions. Weighted, adjusted rates of vigorous PA, walking, meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation for moderate or vigorous PA, and moderate PA from each form were compared. Results: Vigorous PA and walking were similar regardless of question, order. Meeting the CDC recommendation for moderate or vigorous PA was reported less often with the alternate form among 18- to 34-year-olds. Less moderate PA was reported with the alternate form overall and among 18- to 34-year-olds, women, whites, and those with a high school education or less. Conclusion: Estimating PA and walking across sociodemographic strata with differing patterns of PA requires asking moderate-PA and vigorous-PA questions before walking questions. Asking walking questions first might lead to bias, especially for moderate PA. Walking, added to a survey with BRFSS moderate and vigorous PA items, should be placed after moderate and vigorous PA. Walking questions first may cause bias, especially for moderate PA.
AB - Background: Question, order might affect self-reported regular physical activity (PA) measured with items from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) PA module. Methods: A telephone survey was conducted using 2 forms (N = 1004, N = 212) with varying PA question order. The standard form, presented moderatePA, vigorous-PA, and walking questions, in that order, whereas the alternate form presented walking questions, followed by moderate-PA, and then vigorous-PA questions. Weighted, adjusted rates of vigorous PA, walking, meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation for moderate or vigorous PA, and moderate PA from each form were compared. Results: Vigorous PA and walking were similar regardless of question, order. Meeting the CDC recommendation for moderate or vigorous PA was reported less often with the alternate form among 18- to 34-year-olds. Less moderate PA was reported with the alternate form overall and among 18- to 34-year-olds, women, whites, and those with a high school education or less. Conclusion: Estimating PA and walking across sociodemographic strata with differing patterns of PA requires asking moderate-PA and vigorous-PA questions before walking questions. Asking walking questions first might lead to bias, especially for moderate PA. Walking, added to a survey with BRFSS moderate and vigorous PA items, should be placed after moderate and vigorous PA. Walking questions first may cause bias, especially for moderate PA.
KW - BRFSS
KW - Moderate physical activity
KW - Survey
KW - Vigorous physical activity
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=42949135419&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1123/jpah.5.s1.s16
DO - 10.1123/jpah.5.s1.s16
M3 - Article
C2 - 18364520
AN - SCOPUS:42949135419
VL - 5
SP - S16-S29
JO - Journal of Physical Activity and Health
JF - Journal of Physical Activity and Health
SN - 1543-3080
IS - SUPPL. 1
ER -