Abstract

Measuring physical activity in infants and children poses some problems, and these are compounded if it is necessary or desirable to have an assessment of actual energy expenditure as well. This paper therefore begins with some general considerations on what measurements might be useful under various circumstances. Methods of acquiring information on the physical activity of infants and children (questionnaire or diary record, pedometers, accelerometers, actometers, video-recording, heart-rate) and the energy expended for it (indirect calorimetry, stable isotopes) are then discussed, pointing out their advantages and limitations.