Pedometers as measurement tools and motivational devices: new insights for researchers and practitioners.

Pedometers are increasingly used in physical activity research and health promotion initiatives. This pilot study examines the efficacy of pedometers as motivational tools for increasing daily physical activity and exploring the practical issues related to pedometer use in research and intervention studies. A mixed-method design is used to collect data on the level of activity and in-depth information about participants' experiences wearing the pedometers. Participants are 10 midlife women between the ages of 45 and 64 (mean age = 52.9). Analysis indicates pedometers function as important motivational tools for increasing daily physical activity and improving the awareness of activity patterns for participants. Findings provide new insights into participants' experiences using the pedometers and understanding how these devices function as research tools. Several important methodological considerations for future research and intervention designs using pedometers are discussed.

Overweight Nova Scotia children and youth: the roles of household income and adherence to Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating.

OBJECTIVE: Poor diet quality has been observed in Nova Scotia children and youth, characterized by low intake from the traditional four food groups and a high intake from the Other Foods category. In this study, we addressed how household income and adherence to Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating influenced weight status category in Nova Scotia children and youth. METHODS: During the 2005-06 school year, data were collected from 2,296 students and their parents, across Nova Scotia. Questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were obtained from grades 3, 7 and 11 students. The grade 3 students were excluded from the dietary intake assessment. The information collected from the online 24-hour food recalls and food frequency questionnaires were analyzed for adherence to Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating recommendations. A general linear model was employed to examine the relationships between household income, food group and weight status category. RESULTS: Overall adherence to Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating was low among grades 7 and 11 students. Fewer servings from Grain Products, Milk Products and Vegetables and Fruit were observed in at risk of overweight and overweight students. At risk of overweight and overweight were significantly related to lower household income in grades 3 and 11. Our results show that the rates of overweight in Nova Scotia students are double those reported by the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey. CONCLUSION: Household income and dietary intake play significant roles in weight status among Nova Scotia children and youth.

The effects of short- vs. long-bout exercise on mood, VO2max, and percent body fat.

BACKGROUND: To compare the ACSM-CDC physical activity accumulation recommendation to the traditional recommendation, for impact on mood and physiological markers of fitness. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial with sedentary male (n = 21) and female (n = 19) subjects assigned to walk either long bouts (LB; 30 min/day), short bouts (SB; 3 x 10 min/day), or a nonexercise control (CTL) group for 8 weeks. Pre- and post-measures were collected for V02max and percent body fat. Pre-, mid-, and post-measures were collected for the Profile of Mood States (POMS). RESULTS: VO2max increased in the SB group (+7.2%) and LB (+6.7%; P < or = 0.05). Percent body fat decreased in the LB group (-6.7%; P < or = 0.05). Total mood disturbance (TMD) decreased in the LB and SB groups (P < or = 0.05); only the LB group showed reductions compared to the CTL group (P < or = 0.05). Tension-anxiety and vigor-activity were altered in the LB group compared to the other two groups (P < or = 0.05). Reductions in percent body fat correlated with TMD (r = 0.38; P < or = 0.05) and Tension-anxiety reduction (r = 0.40; P < or = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LB and SB walking produced similar and significant improvements in VO2max LB walking was more effective at reducing percent body fat, tension-anxiety and total mood disturbance, and increasing vigor compared to the control group.