Physical activity measurement and surveillance in adults: report of a scoping and planning meeting, 27-28 November 2023
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World Health Organization
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iv, 34 p.
This report summarizes the proceedings of a WHO scoping and planning meeting held on 27–28 November 2023 to inform the development of updated global guidance on physical activity measurement and surveillance in adults. The meeting was convened in the context of global efforts to monitor progress towards physical activity targets and to strengthen surveillance systems supporting implementation of the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity and related health goals. Discussions focused on the future role of wearable digital devices in population surveillance and on potential revisions to the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), which is widely used within the WHO STEPwise approach to noncommunicable disease risk factor surveillance. The publication reviews current evidence from epidemiological studies using both self-report and device-based measures of physical activity, examines experiences from national surveillance systems using wearable technologies, and identifies methodological, technical and operational challenges affecting comparability and implementation. Participants considered issues including device selection, wear protocols, data processing, measurement of physical activity intensity and domains, step-count metrics, and integration of device-based and self-report approaches. The report also outlines discussions on simplifying and updating the GPAQ to improve feasibility, relevance and alignment with current WHO physical activity guidelines, and identifies priorities for future research, testing and consensus-building.
This report summarizes the proceedings of a WHO scoping and planning meeting held on 27–28 November 2023 to inform the development of updated global guidance on physical activity measurement and surveillance in adults. The meeting was convened in the context of global efforts to monitor progress towards physical activity targets and to strengthen surveillance systems supporting implementation of the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity and related health goals. Discussions focused on the future role of wearable digital devices in population surveillance and on potential revisions to the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), which is widely used within the WHO STEPwise approach to noncommunicable disease risk factor surveillance. The publication reviews current evidence from epidemiological studies using both self-report and device-based measures of physical activity, examines experiences from national surveillance systems using wearable technologies, and identifies methodological, technical and operational challenges affecting comparability and implementation. Participants considered issues including device selection, wear protocols, data processing, measurement of physical activity intensity and domains, step-count metrics, and integration of device-based and self-report approaches. The report also outlines discussions on simplifying and updating the GPAQ to improve feasibility, relevance and alignment with current WHO physical activity guidelines, and identifies priorities for future research, testing and consensus-building.