Summary of Pedometer Research

StepFit: A Step in the Right Direction for Fifth Grade Students
StepFit is a 4 week pedometer based walking program for 5th grade students. Students in the 6 low-income schools in the Chico Unified School District (n=157) significantly increased their average steps per day from 10,000 to 11,400 (a 1,400 step increase) over the 4 weeks. StepFit successfully promotes increased physical activity among fifth grade students.

Middle School Students Step Up to the Plate with Pedometer Walking Program
A 6 week pedometer walking program for middle school students resulted in a significant increase in mean steps/day from 8,504 to 10,120 (a 1,616 step increase). Students had significant improvements in their perception of the importance of being physically active ≥ 1 hour per day. Students at the intervention school (n=50) reported consuming significantly more fruit servings/day (1/2 serving) and less fruit juice per day (1/2 serving) compared to control school students (n=42). This program was effective in promoting dietary and activity improvements in middle school students.

Pedometers Promote Physical Activity Among High School Students
Study participants consisted of 111 9th and 10th grade students; 43% male and 57% female. Results show that these high schoolers consume a mean of one fast food meal and 1.3 servings of soda per day. 37% were above a normal weight for their height, i.e. 26% were at-risk for overweight (BMI-for-age > 85th - 94.9th %tile) and 11% were overweight (BMI-for-age > 95th %tile). 63% of Latino students were above the 85th %tile BMI-for-age vs. 30% of Caucasian students. Of the 11% of the sample who were overweight, 91% had blood pressure indicative of either pre-HTN or HTN (>90th %tile) based on one reading. Mean steps per day increased approximately 1,000 steps over the 4 weeks. The percentage of students achieving the 12,000 step goal more than doubled from pre (17%) to post (35%). Students walked twice as many steps on weekdays than on weekends. A pedometer walking program is an effective way to motivate high school students to increase physical activity.

Pedometer-Determined vs. Self-Reported Activity Levels of College Freshman
Participants (n=35, 66% women, 34% men) were CSU, Chico freshman. 20% were overweight with a BMI over 25.0. Subjects wore a pedometer for 7 consecutive days and recorded daily steps. These students averaged 10,825 steps/day (males=12,865 vs. females=9,761). Males walked significantly more steps than the recommended minimum of 10,000 steps for youth and 12,000 steps for adults. Results indicate that the majority of male, but not female freshman met the recommendation of 10,000 steps/day for adults. Pedometer-determined PA levels were not in concordance with other forms of self-reported activity. Pedometers appear to be an appropriate tool for college students to more accurately assess their level of PA.