American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 50, 1195-1200, Copyright © 1989 by The American Society for Nutrition

Assessment of physical activity and energy needs

¹ From the School of Physical and Health Education and the Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

The assessment of physical activity and energy needs is discussed with particular reference to elderly subjects. The only practical method of determining physical activity in epidemiological research remains a retrospective questionnaire. Attitude measurements may nevertheless help in assessing those individuals prone to exaggerate participation, while personal activity monitors and measurement of individual fitness levels may contribute to the refinement of questionnaires. Particular problems in applying questionnaires to elderly subjects can include poor vision, hearing, and recent memory, coupled with slow understanding and garrulousness. The design of forms should be as simple and unambiguous as possible, and timely. Attempts to distinguish occupational from leisure or household chores and to explore seasonal variations merely seem likely to cause confusion.

Key Words: Physical activity • energy needs • aging • questionnaires

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