A Comparison of Subjective and Objective Measures of Physical Activity and Fitness in Identifying Associations with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare the ability of alternative measures of physical activity and fitness to quantify associations with health outcomes. METHODS: Associations between a range of subjective and objective physical activity and fitness measures and cardio-metabolic risk factors were examined using data from 1,631 Australians aged 26-36 years. Anthropometry, fitness, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose, insulin, and lipids were measured at study clinics. Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), 7-day pedometer diaries, and reported sedentary behavior (sitting, television viewing). RESULTS: In men and women, associations were strongest for fitness, with those in the highest (versus lowest) fitness quarter having a 75-80% lower prevalence of two or more primary risk factors (waist circumference, HDL cholesterol, and insulin resistance). In men, a 60-70% reduced prevalence of two or more risk factors was observed across extreme quarters of IPAQ leisure, IPAQ vigorous, sitting duration and pedometer measures. Similar reductions in prevalence were observed only across extreme quarters of pedometer activity and television viewing in women. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between alternative measures and cardio-metabolic risk were relatively independent, suggesting that a range of physical activity and fitness measures may be needed to most accurately quantify associations between physical activity and health.