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The effect of a pedometer-based physical activity intervention on sitting time
Katrien A De Cocker1, Ilse M De Bourdeaudhuij, Wendy J Brown
1Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Katrien.DeCocker@UGent.be
Preventive Medicine
|July 12, 2008
Summary
The "10,000 Steps Ghent" intervention successfully reduced daily sitting time in adults. This community-based program demonstrated significant decreases in sedentary behavior over one year.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Sedentary behavior is a growing public health concern.
- Community-based interventions can promote physical activity.
- Reducing sitting time is crucial for overall health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the "10,000 Steps Ghent" intervention on self-reported sitting time.
- To determine if a community-wide physical activity promotion influences sedentary behavior.
Main Methods:
- A multi-strategy community-based intervention was implemented in Ghent, Belgium.
- Participants (aged 25-75) from intervention and comparison communities completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and pedometer logs.
- Follow-up measurements were taken after one year.
Main Results:
- The intervention community showed a decrease of 12 minutes in daily sitting time, while the comparison community increased by 18 minutes (p=0.002).
- Reductions in sitting time were observed on both weekdays (p=0.044) and weekend days (p<0.001).
- Participants who increased their step counts experienced greater reductions in sitting time.
Conclusions:
- The "10,000 Steps Ghent" intervention effectively reduced total, weekday, and weekend sitting times after one year.
- In contrast, sitting time increased in the comparison community.
- Community-based physical activity interventions show promise in mitigating sedentary behavior.
