Measurement Error and Misclassification in Statistics and Epidemiology: Impacts and Bayesian Adjustments

Abstract

Book Reviews 911 Am J Epidemiol 2004;159:910-912 namely, Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General (2). Other well-established books provide different perspectives on the same topic (3-10). Some of the latter extend more comprehensively such topics as diet, weight control, and obesity (11-13), which currently hold much interest in the quest to relate exercise and diet to health, disease, and longevity. Perhaps Physical Activity Epidemiology does not emphasize sufficiently the influence of interactions among physical activity, diet, and weight control for health during all ages, especially for children. The same could be said about the metabolic syndrome and about genetics and molecular biology. Missing, for example, are data on tai chi, an increasingly popular sport, and its value in promoting proper balance and in preventing falls and fractures. The choice of learned sayings to introduce each chapter is appropriate; however, the photographs definitely are unneeded and inappropriate. Furthermore, one might claim the book to be too repetitive, which can be excused by the book's format. In its 8½″ × 11¼″ format, and more than 1½″ thick, Physical Activity Epidemiology in hardcover form is no pocketbook. Yet, it is well illustrated with tables and figures and with sidebars that contain key messages and featured points. The authors have done a good job. Read the book and keep it handy for reference. In sum, Physical Activity Epidemiology is a wide-ranging, absolutely current, and commonsense guide to health in terms of physical exercise, as viewed from population-based studies. From prelude to postlude, the book is comprehensive and detailed, yet it is pleasurable to read, to contemplate over, and to reread as a reference text. Well done.