ERIC Number: EJ811949
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: N/A
Increasing Walking in College Students Using a Pedometer Intervention: Differences According to Body Mass Index
Jackson, Erica M.; Howton, Amy
Journal of American College Health, v57 n2 p159-164 Sep-Oct 2008
Objective: The researchers assessed the effectiveness of a pedometer intervention and differences in walking behaviors according to body mass index (BMI). Participants: Two hundred ninety college students completed the intervention from January to February 2005. Methods: Participants wore pedometers 5 days per week for 12 weeks and completed questionnaires assessing demographic information. The authors calculated daily step averages for weeks 1, 6, and 12. They then classified students as underweight (UW), normal weight (NW), or overweight/obese, by BMI. The authors analyzed data using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: The average number of daily steps increased from week 1 to week 6 (p less than 0.001) and week 12 (p = 0.002). UW participants reported the fewest steps at each time point, but the difference was significant only when compared with NW participants (p = 0.03). Conclusions: These results support the effectiveness of a pedometer intervention to increase walking in college students. Health benefits other than weight management should be emphasized to maximize the effects for all students. (Contains 2 figures.)
Descriptors: College Students, Body Composition, Intervention, Physical Activities, Body Weight, Questionnaires, Statistical Analysis, Program Effectiveness, Physical Fitness, Measurement Equipment
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A