Key Concepts about Creating New Variables

The volume of physical activity performed in each domain (i.e., household and yard, transportation, leisure) can be derived by combining the study participant’s response to whether he or she performed activity in the given domain; the frequency with which they performed the activity; and the duration and intensity of the activity. 

The PAQMSTR dataset will show you how to combine physical activity performed in each of the three domains, giving attention to the intensity of the activities (e.g., moderate or vigorous), to create a summary variable of total weekly activity.