In Japan, there is a higher incidence of childhood obesity in the Tohoku district than in other areas. It is known that reduced physical activity is associated with increased body weight, but little is known about the physical activity patterns of children in this area. Accordingly, this study was designed to measure the physical activity of 145 children (73 boys and 72 girls) in Hashikami Town, Aomori Prefecture. Physical activity was assessed through a questionnaire as well as through two weeks of pedometer use. Boys spent more time engaging in physical activity than girls did, reporting 9.5 (0.6-22.0) versus 7.0 (1.2-21.5) hours per week [median (range)] ( pϭ0.002). On school days, boys took an average of 13,586Ϯ4,386 (meanϮSD) steps per day, while girls took 12,248Ϯ4,112; on holidays, boys took 9,531Ϯ4,557, while girls took 9,419Ϯ4,524. There was no significant sex-based difference in the number of steps per day (Fϭ1.197, pϭ0.276), but both boys and girls significantly reduced the number of steps they took on holidays (Fϭ116.537, pϽ0.001). In addition, 36 (24.8%) children reduced the number of steps they took by more than 50% on holidays compared to school days. In general, the participants engaged in the internationally recommended amounts of physical activity. Yet their reduced level of physical activity on holidays seems to be a matter for concern, as it is a possible cause of the higher incidence of childhood obesity in this area.

To investigate the level of walking activity among residents of the Tohoku district in northern Japan, where no widespread public transport system has been developed, winter is severe. The participants were 50 town hall employees with an average age of 43.6Ϯ10.8 (SD) years. The walking activity of each participant was assessed using a pedometer for one week in summer and one week in winter. The participants' lifestyles, including their commuting methods, were assessed using a questionnaire. Forty-six participants (92%) usually commute to work by private car. The average numbers of steps/day on workdays and holidays were, in summer, 6,560Ϯ 2,600 and 7,016Ϯ4,679, respectively, and, in winter, 5,236Ϯ 2,253 and 4,770Ϯ3,039; these numbers were somewhat lower than those recorded in previous reports. We observed a significant reduction in walking during winter (Fϭ19.016, pϭ0.0001), but no significant differences between workdays and holidays (Fϭ0.001, pϭ0.966). A significant correlation between BMI and steps/day (rϭϪ0.420, pϽ0.01) was obtained on workdays in winter. The unexpectedly low level of these participants' physical activity, especially in winter, is probably due to the fact that most of them commute by private car, which is likely a cause of the high incidence of obesity in this district. In addition, a seasonal effect should also be considered when physical activity is assessed, especially in cold climates.

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