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Measures We would like IPEN members to use the following measures to allow for comparison across countries. Members should also feel free to add their own items of interest. NEWSThis scale assesses several environmental characteristics: (1) residential density; (2) proximity to, and ease of access to, nonresidential land uses, such as restaurants and retail stores (land use mix–diversity and land use mix–access); (3) street connectivity; (4) walking/cycling facilities, such as sidewalks and pedestrian/bike trails; (5) aesthetics; (6) pedestrian traffic safety; and (7) crime safety. With the exception of the residential density and land use mix–diversity subscales, items were scaled from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree), with higher scores indicating a more favorable value of the environmental characteristic. Residential density items asked about the frequency of various types of neighborhood residences, from single-family detached homes to 13-story or higher apartments/ condominiums, with a response range of 1 (none) to 5 (all). Residential density items were weighted relative to the average density of single-family detached residences (e.g., 7- to 12-story apartments and condominiums were considered to be 50 times more person-dense than single-family residences), and weighted values were summed to create a residential density subscale score. Land use mix–diversity was assessed by the walking proximity from home to various types of stores and facilities, with responses ranging from 1- to 5-minute walking distance (coded as 5) to =?30-minute walking distance (coded as 1). Higher scores on land use mix–diversity indicated closer average proximity. With the exception of the residential density subscale, all subscale scores were calculated as the mean across the subscale items. An additional variable, number of stores and facilities within a 20 minute walk was also created from the land use question. The following references and PDFs are studies validating the NEWS measure. Brownson, R.C., Chang, J.J., Eyler, A.A., Ainsworth, B.E., Kirtland, K., Brian E. Saelens, PhD, James F. Sallis, PhD, Jennifer B. Black, BA, and Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij, James F. Sallis, Brian E. Saelens. Environmental The International Physical Activity Questionnaire has been developed and tested in several countries. Details of the IPAQ and translation guidelines are on the IPAQ website. We suggest using the long version.
The current generation of electronic activity monitors or accelerometers makes it possible for the first time to use an objective measure in population studies to assess the full range of physical activity intensities. There are several accelerometers available, but we chose the Actigraph (formerly CSA) accelerometer (MTI, Inc.) because it is very small, we have extensive experience with its use, and validation and calibration data are available . In addition, we have found the Actigraph to be able to successfully differentiate minutes walked among adults living in high- vs. low-walkable communities. The Actigraph is about the size of a watch face and measures the frequency, duration, and intensity of motion in the vertical plane. When worn on the hip/waist it has been shown to accurately reflect weight bearing physical activities in the laboratory and field. The Actigraph stores minute-by-minute averages of motion up to six weeks. Because the output has been calibrated to intensity of physical activity for adults, including older adults, it is possible to determine how many minutes the wearer is spending in light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity over a period of days or weeks. This allows a more objective determination of whether a person is meeting recommended physical activity guidelines. Actigraph Accelerometer Website Nichols JF, Morgan Cg, Chabot LE, Sallis JF, Calfas KJ. Assessment of physical activity with the Computer Science and Applications, Inc. accelerometer: Laboratory versus field validation. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 2000;71:36-43. Sirard JR, Melanson EL, Li L, Freedson PS. Field evaluation of the Computer Science and Applications, Inc. physical activity monitor. Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise. 2000;32:695-700. Freedson PS, Melanson EL, Sirard JR. Calibration of the Computer Science and Applications, Inc. accelerometer. Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise. 1998;30:777-781. Melanson ELJ, Freedson PS. Validity of the Computer Science and Applications, Inc. (CSA) activity monitor. Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise. 1995;27:934-940. Saelens BE, Sallis JF, Black JB, Chen D. Neighborhood-based differences in physical activity: An environment scale evaluation. American Journal of Public Health. 2003;93:1552-1558. NQLS surveyMembers can also use the surveys that we have employed in the NQLS adult study. NQLS 1 is the first survey and we suggest using sections B-L (the NEWS), N-S, AA and BB. The full survey is available for download .pdf / .doc The references and source materials for NQLS 1 are available for downloading references NQLS 2 is the 6 month survey and we suggest using sections A, F, G and H. The full survey is available for download .pdf / .doc The references and source materials for NQLS 2 are available for downloading ALPHA |
