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The Effects of Pedometer‐Metered Walking on Body Composition, Blood Glucose, Diet Alterations, Blood Pressure, and Waist‐to‐Hip Ratios in College‐Aged Participants‐A Pilot Study
Author(s) -
Meeks Lauren,
Reynaga Andy,
Worland Corinne,
BurnsWhitmore Bonny
Publication year - 2016
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.30.1_supplement.686.2
Subject(s) - pedometer , waist , medicine , abdominal obesity , blood pressure , waist–hip ratio , physical therapy , obesity , body mass index , physical activity
Physical activity reduces fat mass, but if not practiced, the risk of obesity‐associated health problems and associated health care costs increase. We wished to determine the effects of pedometer‐metered walking in college‐aged participants on body composition, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure (BP), diet choices, and waist‐to‐hip ratios (WHR) within a 4wk period. Following informed consent, participants (N=29; 18.5< BMI <25.0) wore a pedometer for 4wks and recorded the number of daily steps. Body composition, FBG, BP, and waist and hip measurements were performed at baseline, week 1, and week 4. Three randomized 3‐day diet records were collected from participants. Daily motivational quotes were provided to (N=19) participants to determine if the number of steps walked changed. Significant decreases in waist (77.1cm ± 2.23cm to 74.5cm ± 2.03cm, p=0.002) and hip (99.8 ± 1.74cm to 99.0 ± 1.78, p=0.03) measurements were found. Results were not significant for body composition (however, fat free mass was p=0.06), FBG, BP, or those receiving motivational quotes. Decreased fruit intake (N=20) was observed in the second (p=0.007) and third (p=0.023) diet records. Waist and hip measurements decreased significantly at end of study, suggesting that monitored walking through the use of a pedometer results in physical abdominal changes. More research is needed to determine the effects of pedometer‐metered walking on diet choices. Support or Funding Information Funded by: California Wellness Grant (SEES Scholar) and the Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities (RSCA) program (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona)