Physical activity in climacteric women: comparison between self-reporting and pedometer

OBJECTIVE To compare two methods of assessing physical activity in pre-, peri- and postmenopausal women. METHODS Cross-sectional study nested in a cohort of pre-, peri- and postmenopausal women in a city in Southern Brazil. The participants completed a questionnaire that included sociodemographic and clinical data. Physical activity was assessed using a digital pedometer and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, short version. The participants were classified into strata of physical activity according to the instrument used. For statistical analysis, the Spearman correlation test, Kappa index, concordance coefficient and Bland-Altman plots were used. RESULTS The concordance (k = 0110; p = 0.007) and the correlation (rho = 0.136, p = 0.02) between the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, short version, and pedometer were weak. In Bland-Altman plots, it was observed that differences deviate from zero value whether the physical activity is minimal or more intense. Comparing the two methods, the frequency of inactive women is higher when assessed by pedometer than by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire--short version, and the opposite occurs in active women. CONCLUSIONS Agreement between the methods was weak. Although easy to use, Physical Activity Questionnaire--short version overestimates physical activity compared with assessment by pedometer.