Methods used to conduct the pan-European Union survey on consumer attitudes to physical activity, body weight and health

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of conducting this survey was to identify data on consumer attitudes towards and beliefs about physical activity, body weight and health among the 15 countries of the EU. Design: A cross-sectional study to get a picture of the attitudes to physical activity, body weight and health in the EU. For this, it was considered important that samples be nationally representative so that inferences drawn from the data could be applied to the population in each country as well as to the EU population as a whole. Using a non-probability sampling method employing quota controls (and the national weight) we obtained large sample sizes from each country which were nationally representative in terms of the variables age, sex and regional distribution. To ensure samples were truly nationally representative a national weight was used when analysing the data using the same characteristics as those used to define quotas. When examining pooled estimates for the total EU sample a population weight was applied. Results: In total, 15 239 subjects aged 15 years and upwards in the EU completed the survey. This article gives details on the methods used in carrying out the survey from design of the questionnaire to sample selection, questionnaire administration and analysis of the data. The methods and their limitations are discussed. Keywords Cross-sectional survey Sampling analysis European UnionThe purpose of conducting this survey was to identify data on consumer attitudes towards, and beliefs about, physical activity, body weight and health among the 15 countries of the EU. Data on the sociocultural and demographic differences in such attitudes will help those involved in the promotion of physical activity in the general population to develop more focused and effective campaigns. This article gives details on the methods used in carrying out the survey from the design of the questionnaire to sample selection, questionnaire administration and analysis of the data, all of which were similar to those used in an earlier pan-EU survey of consumer attitudes to food, nutrition and health 1 . Subsequent articles covering different issues from the survey will provide more details on the specific questions and their particular analyses. Questionnaire designA project management group developed the questionnaire. This group consisted of scientists from each member state and representatives from the food industry along with members of the Institute of European Food Studies (Appendix 1). A workshop was held to design the questionnaire firstly by reviewing existing studies on attitudes and secondly reviewing the methodology for measuring physical activity in large population surveys. The specific objectives of this pan-EU survey were as follows.X To identify the main attitudes to physical activity/ exercise, body weight and health in different countries in the EU and among different sociodemographic groups. X To examine the motivating factors and perceived barriers to participating in physical activity/exercise. X To d...

Physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle and obesity in the European Union

“…24 These methods were very similar to those of a previous survey (`A pan-EU survey of consumer attitudes to food, nutrition and health') coordinated also by the Institute of European Food Studies (IEFS, Trinity College, Dublin), and these have been already published. 25,26 Approximately 1000 adults (15 years upward) of each EU member state were selected to participate in the survey.…”

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“…Overall, 15 239 subjects in the EU completed the questionnaire. The information concerning the number of subjects interviewed in each member state, sample selection and questionnaire design have been described elsewhere 11 . To assess activity levels, three types of questions were included:…”

“…Considering that in most countries subjects have five working days and two non-working days per week, the indicator was built as follows: Average values for the EU as a whole were weighted for population size in order to take into account differences among countries. The results of individual member states were weighted for national profiles as described elsewhere 11 . Due to the large sample size most of the differences between groups were statistically significant.…”

Relationship between attitudes to health, body weight and physical activity and level of physical activity in a nationally representative sample in the European Union

“…The methods have been described in detail elsewhere 11 . In brief, approximately 1000 adults aged 15 years or older were selected from each of the 15 member countries of the EU, except in Luxembourg where 500 adults were selected and in Germany where 1159 were selected (873 from former West Germany and 286 from former East Germany).…”