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Increase in physical activity among Central Brooklyn residents participating in an incentive‐based walking program
Author(s) -
HoyRosas Jamillah R,
Klein Brett
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.617.21
Subject(s) - pedometer , incentive , attendance , incentive program , medicine , club , physical activity , gerontology , physical therapy , political science , economics , microeconomics , law , anatomy
Intro The “Brooklyn‐Stay Well, Enjoy Life” (B‐SWEL) program is a grant‐funded initiative sponsored by the Office of Minority Health that will provide 1,200 Central Brooklyn residents with screening, education, and diabetes prevention services over 3 years. Clients receive individual case management and group services to help them achieve weight loss, reduce blood pressure and control blood sugar. Study Objective Increase physical activity level of participants with pre‐diabetes and diabetes through enrollment in incentive‐based walking club Methods B‐SWEL participants received a pedometer that tracked their daily steps for 7 days. Participants were offered 3–4 occasions per week to participate in an hour‐long neighborhood group walk. Participants received two different incentive‐types over time (monthly+weekly or monthly‐only. Results 15 participants enrolled at the start of the study. 6 participants completed. Average number of monthly steps of the participants during the monthly+weekly incentive period was 356,923 and during the monthly‐only incentive period was 509,286 and attendance increased from 40 to 51 walks completed, respectively. Conclusion Incentive‐based walking programs conducted in community‐based settings are an important way to increase physical activity. Incentives do not need to be high to achieve desirable results.