The validity of the non-exercise activity thermogenesis questionnaire evaluated by objectively measured daily physical activity by the triaxial accelerometer

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is a major cardiovascular risk factor. Recently, we showed that non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) assessed by the self-reported questionnaire is favorably associated with metabolic risks in patients with type 2 diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to examine the validity of the questionnaire by comparing with objectively measured daily physical activity (PA) by using the triaxial accelerometer. METHODS: Daily physical activity level (PAL) of 51 participants (24 men and 27 women) with type 2 diabetes was measured by the triaxial accelerometer. At the same time, we evaluated their NEAT score using our original questionnaire modified from a compendium of physical activities. RESULTS: The NEAT score was significantly and positively correlated with PAL measured by the triaxial accelerometer (r = 0.604, P < 0.001). PAL was also significantly and positively correlated with both the locomotive NEAT score and the non-locomotive NEAT score (r = 0.444, P = 0.001 and r = 0.526, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The NEAT score measured by the self-reported questionnaire was highly correlated with PAL measured by the triaxial accelerometer. Our original NEAT questionnaire may be useful for evaluation of daily PAL in clinical practices.