Comparison of Self-Reported and Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity in Undergraduate Students

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences between estimates of sedentary behavior and physical activity (PA) from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and accelerometry in undergraduate students. PARTICIPANTS: 91 students participated in the study. METHODS: Sedentary behavior and PA were objectively measured by an accelerometer for 7 days and then self-reported with the IPAQ. Partial correlations were used to assess associations among PA variables and participant characteristics between the methods. Agreement was assessed via the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: ≤0.05 for all). A higher proportion of students were classified as meeting PA guidelines via self-report compared to objective measurements. Bland-Altman plots revealed acceptable agreement between methods, however, bias was evident for all PA intensities. Sex and lean body mass impacted these differences. CONCLUSIONS: Researchers should exercise caution when interpreting PA assessed via the IPAQ in undergraduate students.