Validity and reliability of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) long-form in a subsample of female Mexican teachers / Validez y confiabilidad el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física versión larga en una submuestra de maestras mexicanas

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the test-retest reliability and validity of the long-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-long form). Materials and methods: A subsample of 86 teachers underwent telephone interviews and clinic visits in Mexico City. Through 22 months, physical activity (PA) levels were obtained from accelerometers (months 6 and 22) and IPAQ long-form (months 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12). Minutes per week of moderate (MPA), walking (WPA), vigorous (VPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were calculated for each intensity and domain. Variables were logarithmically transformed. Intra-class and Pearson correlations were used to determine the relationship between instruments. Results: Test-retest reliability of the average IPAQs long-form varied across intensities and domains (ranged from r= 0.24 to r= 0.65). Minutes per week of VPA and MVPA accelerometer 1 (AC1) were fairly associated to International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form 3 (IPAQ3) (r= 0.60 and r= 0.31, respectively) one week apart. Conclusions: IPAQ long-form is fairly reliable for MVPA and valid for assessing MVPA and VPA in a subsample of Mexican teachers.

Resumen: Objetivo: Evaluar la confiabilidad y validez del Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física versión larga (por sus siglas en inglés IPAQ-long form). Material y métodos: Un total de 86 maestras realizaron entrevistas y visitas a clínicas en la Ciudad de México. En un periodo de 22 meses, se obtuvieron los niveles de actividad física (AF) por medio de un acelerómetro (AC) (meses 6 y 22) y autorreporte de actividad física por medio del IPAQ versión larga (meses 1, 3, 6, 9 y 12). Se estimaron los minutos por semana de actividad física moderada (AFM), caminando (AFC), vigorosa (AFV) y actividad física moderada-vigorosa (AFMV) para cada intensidad y dominio. Las variables se transformaron logarítmicamente. Se utilizaron correlaciones de intraclase y de Pearson para determinar la relación de los minutos por semana de AFM, AFC, AFMV entre instrumentos. Resultados: La confiabilidad entre el promedio de los IPAQs varió entre intensidades y dominios (de r = 0.24 a r = 0.65). Los minutos por semana de AFV y AFMV del acelerómetro 1 (AC1) se asociaron con los del Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física 3 (IPAQ3) (r = 0.60 y r = 0.31, respectivamente) reportado una semana después. Conclusiones: La versión larga del IPAQ es confiable para estimar AFMV y válido para evaluar AFMV y AFV en una submuestra de maestras mexicanas.

Validity of self-reported anthropometry in adult Mexican women / Validez de la antropometría autorreportada en mujeres mexicanas adultas

Abstract: Objective: To compare direct and self-reported anthropometry in Mexican women. Materials and methods: Women aged 30-72 years, participating in the Mexican Teachers' Cohort, completed a questionnaire with their anthropometric data in 2006-2008. After eleven months (median time), technicians performed anthropometry in 3756 participants. We calculated correlations and multivariable-adjusted mean differences between direct and self-reported anthropometric measures. Results: Correlations between direct and self-reported anthropometric measures ranged from 0.78 (waist circumference) to 0.93 (weight). On average, women over-reported their height by 2.2 cm and underreported their weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist and hip circumferences by 1.3 kg, 1.3 kg/m2, 1.8 cm and 1.9 cm, respectively. Errors in self-reported anthropometry increased with rising measured BMI and were also independently associated with age, education and socioeconomic status. Conclusion: Self-reported anthropometry is sufficiently valid for epidemiological purposes in adult Mexican women. Errors in self-reported anthropometry might result in underestimation of the prevalence of overweight and obesity.

Resumen: Objetivo: Comparar antropometría directa y autorreportada en mujeres mexicanas. Material y métodos: Participantes de la cohorte ESMaestras completaron un cuestionario con sus datos antropométricos en 2006-2008. Once meses después (tiempo mediano), técnicos realizaron antropometría (n=3 756). Se calcularon correlaciones y diferencias de medias ajustadas entre medidas antropométricas directas y autorreportadas. Resultados: Las correlaciones entre medidas antropométricas directas y autorreportadas variaron entre 0.78 (circunferencia de cintura) y 0.93 (peso). En promedio, las mujeres sobrerreportaron su estatura en 2.2 cm y subreportaron su peso, índice de masa corporal (IMC) y circunferencias de cintura y cadera en 1.3 kg, 1.3 kg/m2, 1.8 cm y 1.9 cm, respectivamente. Los errores en la antropometría autorreportada se incrementaron a mayor IMC medido y se asociaron de manera independiente con edad, escolaridad y nivel socioeconómico. Conclusión: La antropometría autorreportada es suficientemente válida para fines epidemiológicos en mujeres mexicanas. Los errores en la antropometría autorreportada podrían originar subestimación de la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad.

Familial breast cancer in Costa Rica: an initial approach

Cancer is a worldwide problem because of its high rates of incidence and associated mortality. By 2000, more than 6.2 million people died from this illness worldwide. Among all types of cancer, breast cancer is one of the most studied. Each year, one million new cases are diagnosed around the world. We can classify breast cancer into two main kinds: sporadic cases and those which are a product of inherited genetic alterations. Approximately 5-10% of breast cancer cases are the result of inherited mutations, or alterations in breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. Like other countries, Costa Rica possesses high rates of incidence and mortality for breast cancer. According to the "Registro Nacional de Tumores" (National Office of Tumor Records), in 2000 breast cancer had the highest rate of incidence and in 2002 it had the highest rate of mortality in comparison to other types of cancer. For this reason and the generalized lack of knowledge in the field we conducted an epidemiological research on breast cancer patients from Hospital San Juan de Dios, San José, Costa Rica, to find families with a history of breast cancer, and to determine the occurrence of familial cases within the population studied. So far, we have found 23 families, within which we discovered very informative cases that have rendered the identification of a pattern of inheritance. These findings allow us to announce that in Costa Rica there are several cases of inherited breast cancer and that we need more research is needed to improve the prevention, control, and treatment of this disease.