Reliability and Validity of a Physical Activity Scale Among Urban Pregnant Women in Eastern China

Abstract

Objectives. This study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the physical activity scale adapted from a Danish scale for assessing physical activity among urban pregnant women in eastern China. Design. Participants recruited in an urban setting of eastern China were asked to complete the physical activity scale, the activity diary, and to wear a pedometer for the same 4 days, followed by repeating the activity scale for another 4 days within 2 weeks. Results. A total of 109 pregnant women completed data recording. Good reliability of the physical activity scale was observed (intraclass correlation coefficient = .87). There was also a good comparability between the activity scale and the activity diary (Spearman’s r = .75 for total energy expenditure). The agreement between the scale and pedometer reading was acceptable (Spearman’s r = .45). Conclusions. The adapted physical activity scale is a reliable and reasonably accurate instrument for estimating physical activity among urban pregnant women in eastern China.