Validation of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) among Chinese Children

Key words: 
• Physical activity /
• Measurement /
• Children /
• Reliability /
• Validity

Abstract: Objective This study initially validates the Chines eversion of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), which has been identified as a potentially valid instrument to assess moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children among diverse racial groups. Methods The psychometric properties of the PAQ-C with 742 Hong Kong Chinese children were assessed withthe scale's internal consistency, reliability, test-retest reliability, confirmatory factory analysis (CFA) in the overall sample, and multistep invariance tests across gender groups as well as convergent validity with body mass index (BMI), and an accelerometry-based MVPA. Results The Cronbach alpha coefficient (α=0.79),composite reliability value (ρ=0.81), andthe intraclass correlation coefficient(α=0.82)indicate the satisfactory reliability of the PAQ-C score.The CFA indicated data fit a single factor model, suggesting that the PAQ-C measures only one construct, on MVPA over the previous 7 days.The multiple-group CFAs suggested that the factor loadings and variances and covariances of the PAQ-C measurement model were invariant across gender groups. The PAQ-Cscore was related to accelerometry-based MVPA (r=0.33) and inversely related to BMI (r=-0.18). Conclusion This study demonstrates the reliability and validity of the PAQ-Cin Chinese children.