A novel prescription pedometer-assisted walking intervention and weight management for Chinese occupational population

Abstract

Background and aimInformation technology has been previously used for the research and practice of health promotion. Appropriate and effective health promotion methods used by professional groups remain to be investigated. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a weight management program among the Chinese occupational population using and a novel information technology exercise prescription.Study design and participantsA 3-month open, self-monitored intervention trial, involving individualized pedometer-assisted exercise prescription and a one-time targeted dietary guidance prior to exercise was conducted on the Chinese occupational population aged 18–65 years in China from 2015 to 2016. Data were collected from March 2015 to May 2016 and analyzed from June 2016 to August 2016. Participants were also asked to synchronize exercise data of the pedometer to the Internet-based Health System Center daily (at least weekly), by connecting to the personal computer (PC) using a USB cable or via Bluetooth.ResultsEligible participants included 802 Chinese occupational persons, and 718 of them followed exercise interventions with 89.5% (718/802) adherence to the exercise programs. Of them, 688 participants completed the program with 85.8% (688/802) adherence to the exercise program and their data were analyzed. Weight decreased by 2.2% among all overweight/obese participants, with 1.8% reduction in waist circumference and 3.3% reduction in body fat percentage (p< 0.001). Weight and body fat percentage in normal-weight individuals decreased by 0.7% and 2.5%, respectively (p < 0.01). A weight gain of 1.0% was observed in all underweight participants (p< 0.05), and 68.2% (208/305) of overweight/obese participants experienced weight loss, with an average reduction of 3.5%, with 20.2% (42/208) of them achieving weight loss ≥5%. Blood pressure and fasting serum glucose decreased significantly in both the overweight/obese and the normal-weight individuals (p < 0.05). The incidence of hypertension was significantly lower and lifestyle behavior significantly improved (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe prescription pedometer-assisted walking intervention can effectively improve exercise adherence and manage weight. This approach was also effective in controlling the risk factors of weight-related chronic diseases.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) ChiCTR-OOh-16010229

Weight Management Programme for Overweight and Obese Adults in Ningbo, China: A Feasibility Pre- and Post-intervention Study

“…Our study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in China, and the recruitment rate was 74%. The recruitment rate was 89% in the Chinese study conducted among an occupational population, 73% in the Turkish study conducted in primary care among women and 42% in the community-based study conducted in Australia (19)(20)(21). In our study, the follow-up rates were 96% at 3-month and 88% at 6-month.…”

“…This calculation is based on the type-1 error of 5% (two-tailed), 80% power, 1 kg/m 2 minimal detectable difference in the mean BMI between the two arms, the standard deviation of 4.85 and loss to follow-up of 12% at 6-month. Similar feasibility studies on weight management interventions have been conducted among different populations and settings in China and elsewhere (such as in Turkey and Australia) (19)(20)(21). Our study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in China, and the recruitment rate was 74%.…”

Effects of brisk walking on blood pressure in the Chinese Han occupational population with a sedentary lifestyle: A baseline control trial

“…This study was designed as an intervention study for a baseline control trial. All participants received a 3-month open and prescription pedometer-assisted self-monitoring walking intervention and onetime dietary education on BP management prior to intervention [19] .…”

“…Thus, the effective steps volume should be 3000-12000 steps per day for recommended amount. The walking volume was expressed by means of step counts recorded by a prescription pedometer in this study [19] ; therefore, the participants wore the pedometer every day throughout the intervention period. Finally, according to the execution of the exercise intervention programs in the participants during the trial, we divided the amount of effective step counts into five levels: 4000-< 6000 (level 1), 6000-< 8000 (level 2), 8000-< 10000 (level 3), 10000-12000 (level 4), and > 12000 (level 5) steps/day for statistical analysis to evaluate and verify the exercise intervention efficacy.…”

“…Walking is an aerobic exercise with moderate walking speed of 80-90 m/min for females (4.0-4.5 MET) and 90-100 m/min for males (4.5-5.0 MET) [21] . This study used the previously established "Internet +" assisted exercise and nutrition health management technology platform and prescription pedometer to monitor and guide participants' exercise [19] . Data that were normally distributed (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test) were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (M ± SD).…”