Physical activity in women with young children: how can we assess "anything that's not sitting"?

Current physical activity (PA) questionnaires fail to assess accurately daily activities typically undertaken by women, particularly women with young children (WYC). The aims of this study were to explore perceptions of PA and daily activities, and to identify methods for improving self-report PA questionnaires for WYC. Data were collected from 69 WYC (mean age = 35 +/- 5 yrs) via seven focus groups. Facilitators asked questions about perceptions of PA and factors related to self-reporting activities. Two independent researchers thematically analyzed the focus group transcripts. Most participants perceived differences in the meaning of PA and exercise, but many reported difficulty categorizing discrete activities related to childcare, household and occupational tasks because they were often being performed simultaneously and in short bouts. Recommendations for improving physical activity questionnaires for WYC included: the use of interview-administered questionnaires, clarifying category definitions in questionnaire instructions, assessing sedentary and low-intensity activities, providing multiple, relevant examples of activities for each activity category and assessing activities separately for weekdays and weekend days.