Does a Six-Month Pedometer Intervention Improve Physical Activity and Health Among Vulnerable African Americans? A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Background: Race/ethnic-specific physical activity patterns and biological responses to physical activity is one of the most understudied, yet critical aspects related to the development and adoption of physical activity recommendations. Methods: In this 6-month community walking intervention targeting African Americans, participants wore a pedometer and maintained a pedometer diary for the study duration. Outcome measures included height, weight, percent body fat, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids and glucose. ANOVA, Pearson Correlations, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to examine changes in steps/day over each month of the intervention and explore associations among pedometer-determined physical activity and anthropometric/ biological change scores from month 1 to 6. Results: The 83 participants were primarily African American (98%) women (94%). There was a significant increase in the average step/day beginning with 6665 (SD = 3,396) during month 1 and increasing to 9232 (SD = 3670) steps/day during month 6 (F = 4.5, P < .0001). Associations among step counts and anthropometric/biological change scores were not significant. Conclusions: While this intervention resulted in significant increases in steps/day; it exemplifies that physical activity standards may be unachievable for some vulnerable, minority communities. Methodological considerations for exploring associations between changes in pedometer-determined step counts and anthropometric/biological outcomes are emphasized through this study.

HUB City Steps: A 6-Month Lifestyle Intervention Improves Blood Pressure among a Primarily African-American Community

“…In addition to applying the CBPR approach and building upon previous community-based lifestyle feasibility trials, 26–28 HCS integrated concepts from several theoretical frameworks including social support, 29, 30 Self-Determination Theory, 31, 32 and the Transtheoretical Model of Change. 33 Furthermore, the intervention and feedback approach was consistent with motivational enhancement (ME), an adaptation of motivational interviewing.…”

Physicians promoting physical activity using pedometers and community partnerships: a real world trial

“…These inexpensive, easy-to-use devices measure daily PA,18 19 and can assist self-monitoring and goal setting by providing feedback supporting adoption and maintenance 20 21. Pedometer use is associated with significant increases in PA and clinically relevant reductions in body mass index and blood pressure 22…”

“…To our knowledge, there have been five pedometer-based studies conducted in primary care settings23–27 and four pedometer-based community interventions 21 28–30. Of these, three studies included pedometers in a PA intervention delivered by clinical staff (ie, not physicians) 23 25 27.…”

Retention of African American Women in a Lifestyle Physical Activity Program

“…At the 48-week assessment, the program had a study retention rate of 90%, which is higher than the mean study retention rate of 70% in 12 recent PA intervention studies with greater than 75% African American females at 6 and 12 months (Bopp et al, 2009; Clark, Stump, & Damush, 2003; Fitzgibbon et al, 2010; Hornbuckle et al, 2012; Newton & Perri, 2004; Parra-Medina et al, 2011; Resnicow et al, 2005; Wilbur et al, 2008; Yancey et al, 2006; Yanek et al, 2001; Young & Stewart, 2006; Zoellner et al, 2010). …”