VALIDATION OF THE CHILD & ADOLESCENT-INTERNATIONAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRES IN IRANIAN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

With reference to the importance of physical activity during childhood and adolescence in their health promotion and prevention of chronic diseases during adulthood, it is necessary to have a reliable and valid method for evaluating physical activity level in this age group. Physical activity questionnaire child (PAQ-C) and adolescents (PAQ-A) have been designed for this purpose. This study aimed to validate these questionnaires PAQ in a representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents. After translating the PAQ-C and PAQ-A to Persian, the face- and content validities of these questionnaires were assessed by an expert committee consisting of experts of different specialties including specialists in Pediatrics, Community Medicine, Social specialist and Sport Medicine. After minor modification of some items of the questionnaires according to available types of physical activity and the socio-cultural conditions, the final questionnaires were prepared. Thereafter, 82 children and adolescents with 8 to 18 years of age completed the questionnaires. To assess this questionnaire reliability in Iranian students, it was modified and got the validity accreditation from a committee consisting of specialists. An alpha Cronbach of 0.894 was produced at the end of the analysis showing it has been reliable for this population. According to the results found in this survey, this questionnaire can be used as a reliable and valid method for next studies; so health planning due to Iranian students’ physical activity will be possible in future.