2.3. Assessment of Physical Activity

Participants’ physical activity was assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Short IPAQ is a set of 7 questions related to vigorous activity, moderate activity, walking, and sitting during the last 7 days. IPAQ data were analyzed using a standard scoring protocol. The metabolic equivalent (MET) was also obtained. Average MET values were derived for each type of activity during the IPAQ reliability study [21]. MET scores were provided for each kind of physical activity. Total MET-min per week was obtained as MET level for activity multiplied by duration of activity (minutes)/day multiplied by the number of days the activity is practiced per week. Three levels of physical activity were categorized based on MET-min per week as inactive, minimally active, and Health Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) active [21]. A low physical activity level was assigned when individuals did not meet the criteria set for moderate or high physical activity. Moderate physical activity was assigned if participants (a) practiced at least 20 min of vigorous-intensity activity for 3 or more days per week, (b) practiced 30 min of walking/moderate-intensity physical activity for 5 or more days per week, or (c) achieved at least 600 MET-minutes/week from a combination of walking at a moderate or vigorous intensity. A high physical activity level was assigned if participants (a) achieved a minimum of 1500 MET-minutes/week from vigorous-intensity activity at least 3 days per week or (b) achieved a minimum of 3000 MET-minutes/week from a combination of walking, moderate-intensity, or vigorous-intensity 7 days per week.