The "Pre-EPIC Questionnaire" or "Pre-EPAQ" was developed between 1991-1992 during a Dutch pilot investigation for use in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. The questionnaire was subsequently reduced to a shortened version, referred to as the "EPIC Physical Activity Questionnaire (short version)" or "EPAQ-s" (see here). A third questionnaire, under the name "EPIC Physical Activity Questionnaire (second version)" or "EPAQ2" was also later developed for use in the Norfolk cohort of the EPIC study (see here).

The questionnaire aims to capture physical activity across the entire 24 hr day over the past 12 months, with the intention of estimating mean absolute energy expenditure per 24 hr over the past year.

Information is collected systematically using 28 questions which take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Participants input the average number of hours per day, week, or month spent on activities of the following types:

• Rest (sleeping or sitting/lying awake)
• Transport to or from work (motorized vehicle, walking, cycling) 
• Work (light, moderate, heavy, or very heavy) 
• Household activities (light, moderate, or heavy) 
• Sports (type of sports, all year or seasonal) 
• Other activities (walking for pleasure, climbing stairs, do-ityourself-activities, or gardening)