Growing healthy families: Family use of pedometers to increase physical activity and slow the rate of obesity

Objective: We conducted a study to determine if wearing a pedometer affects weight, body mass index (BMI), or mediators of physical activity among families. Methods: Eighty-seven families were randomized to 1 of 3 treatments: pedometer plus education (PE), pedometer (P), or control (C). Participants in the PE and P groups wore pedometers and were encouraged to walk 10,000 steps daily for 12 weeks. PE group participants attended 6 sessions on healthy eating and exercise. Participants were surveyed about their knowledge and attitudes about healthy eating and physical activity prior to randomization, at the end of the intervention, and 9 months later. Their heights and weights were measured and BMI calculated. Results: Children's BMI percentile decreased from baseline to end of intervention (-0.18%) and at 9-month follow-up (-0.08%) but did not differ by treatment. Children's BMI percentile varied by parental obesity status (average BMI percentile was 88.7% for children of obese parents and 78.5% for children of non-obese parents). Parents' weight decreased slightly by intervention's end (0.6 pounds) and at 9 months (1.2 pounds), but change was similar among groups. Attitudes about their physical activity level relative to their peers improved significantly among children and parents wearing the pedometer. Self-efficacy improved for parents wearing the pedometer. Both children and parents felt the pedometer increased their activity level, but most were unlikely to wear it beyond the intervention. Conclusions: The pedometer had little impact on the activity level, weight, or BMI of participants.