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Student and Parent Self-Reported Changes in Physical Activity Behavior while Wearing an Unsealed Pedometer
Michael W Beets1, Arissa G Eilert2, Kenneth H Pitetti3
1Department of Public Health, Oregon State University, 256 Waldo Hall, Corvallis, OR, USA.
Pediatric Exercise Science
|August 17, 2024
Summary
Wearing a pedometer increased children's physical activity, with reduced screen time and more outdoor play observed. Both children and parents reported this positive reactive effect.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Behavioral Science
- Physical Activity Measurement
Background:
- Childhood physical activity is crucial for development and long-term health.
- Accurate measurement of physical activity in children is essential for intervention studies.
- Pedometers are commonly used tools to monitor physical activity levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of wearing a pedometer on children's physical activity levels.
- To investigate whether children and parents perceive changes in physical activity due to pedometer use.
- To identify specific behavioral changes associated with pedometer wear.
Main Methods:
- 109 child-parent pairs participated in the study.
- Participants completed questionnaires on physical activity changes during a 7-day pedometer wear period.
- Data analysis focused on reported changes in activity levels and specific behaviors.
Main Results:
- Over two-thirds of children (78.5%) and nearly half of parents (47.3%) reported increased physical activity.
- Children most frequently cited reduced television viewing (75.2%) as a behavioral change.
- Parents most frequently reported increased weekend outdoor play (35.8%) as a change.
Conclusions:
- Wearing a pedometer appears to induce a reactive effect, increasing children's physical activity.
- Both children and parents perceive this positive behavioral change.
- Pedometers may serve as a tool to promote physical activity in children through behavioral modification.
