Reliability and Validity of Physical Activity Measures for Children and Adolescents: The NCCOR Measures Registry Review

In 2011, the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research established a Measures Registry (updated in 2020) for four key variables associated with childhood obesity. We analyzed the individual physical activity behaviors portion of the Measures Registry to highlight strengths and gaps in the reliability and validity literature for children’s and adolescents’ physical activity measures. There were 455 Measurement Registry entries included in the present analysis. Overall, 212 entries assessed reliability, most commonly test–retest (70%) or internal consistency (18%), while 342 entries assessed validity, most commonly criterion validity (89%). The lack of reporting of socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and rurality, and lack of inclusion of these individuals in studies was concerning, as was poorer reliability and validity demonstrated when these individuals were included. Future validation work should address better inclusion of diverse populations. Other next steps include devising standardized measurement development procedures and assessment tools in addition to updating the registry.