This study investigated the validity of the Baecke Questionnaire, the Five City Project
Questionnaire, and the Tecumseh Community Health Study Questionnaire in 19 Flemish
males, using correlation and multiple stepwise regression analyses. The three questionnaires
are commonly used physical activity questionnaires in epidemiological studies. The
physical activity level (PAL) as measured with the doubly labeled water method was
used as the criterion. The Baecke total activity index showed the highest correlation
coefficient with PAL (r = 0.69, p < 0.001). Also the sweat index from the Five City
Project Questionnaire, and total daily energy expenditure from the Tecumseh Community
Health Study Questionnaire showed significant associations with PAL, respectively
0.57 (p < 0.05) and 0.64 (p < 0.01). Multiple stepwise regression analyses supported
the findings from the correlation study. The largest individual contribution in PAL
was from the activity index (45 %) for the Baecke Questionnaire, the sweat index (29
%) for the Five City Project Questionnaire, and total daily energy expenditure (38
%) for the Tecumseh Community Health Study Questionnaire. In conclusion, the questionnaires,
and certainly the Baecke Questionnaire, can provide valid data about physical activity.
Therefore they are useful in epidemiological studies.
Key words
Doubly labeled water - physical activity - questionnaires - validity - energy expenditure
