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Adjusting for Measurement Error and Nonresponse in Physical Activity Surveys: A Simulation Study

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  • Beyler Nicholas

    (2M Research Services, LLC, 1775 Eye Street, NW, Suite 1150, Washington, D.C., United States of America)

  • Beyler Amy

    (Mathematica Policy Research, 1100 1st Street, NE, Washington, D.C., United States of America)

Abstract

Adult Americans are encouraged to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) each week. National surveys that collect physical activity data to assess whether or not adults adhere to this guideline use self-report questionnaires that are prone to measurement error and nonresponse. Studies have examined the individual effects of each of these error sources on estimators of physical activity, but little is known about the consequences of not adjusting for both error sources. We conducted a simulation study to determine how estimators of adherence to the guideline for adults to engage in 150 minutes of MVPA each week respond to different magnitudes of measurement and nonresponse errors in self-reported physical activity survey data. Estimators that adjust for both measurement and nonresponse errors provide the least amount of bias regardless of the magnitudes of measurement error and nonresponse. In some scenarios, the naïve estimator, which does not adjust for either error source, results in less bias than estimators that adjust for only one error source. To avoid biased physical activity estimates using data collected from self-report questionnaires, researchers should adjust for both measurement error and nonresponse.

Suggested Citation

  • Beyler Nicholas & Beyler Amy, 2017. "Adjusting for Measurement Error and Nonresponse in Physical Activity Surveys: A Simulation Study," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 33(2), pages 533-550, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:offsta:v:33:y:2017:i:2:p:533-550:n:11
    DOI: 10.1515/jos-2017-0025
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nicholas Beyler & Susanne James-Burdumy & Martha Bleeker & Jane Fortson & Max Benjamin, 2015. "Estimated Distributions of Usual Physical Activity During Recess," Mathematica Policy Research Reports fac4510b3d3b45ec9fca3e95e, Mathematica Policy Research.
    2. repec:mpr:mprres:6946 is not listed on IDEAS
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