TY - JOUR
T1 - Pedometer accuracy for children
T2 - Can we recommend them for our obese population?
AU - Mitre, Naim
AU - Lanningham-Foster, Lorraine
AU - Foster, Randal
AU - Levine, James A.
PY - 2009/1
Y1 - 2009/1
N2 - OBJECTIVE. In this study, we investigated the accuracy of measuring walking steps with commercially available pedometers and an accelerometer-based step-counter in normal and overweight children. Our primary hypothesis was that commercially available pedometers are not an accurate measure of walking steps in normal and overweight children while walking. Our secondary hypothesis was that the accelero-meter-based step-counter provides an accurate measure of walking steps in normal and overweight children. METHODS. Thirteen boys (11 ± 1 years) and 14 girls (11 ± 1 years) who ranged in BMI from 15 to 27 kg/m 2 (16 normal and 11 overweight or obese) were recruited. Each child wore 4 pedometers at the waist and 1 accelerometer-based step-counter on each ankle. Steps were manually counted and energy expenditure was measured while the child walked on the treadmill at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mph, each for 5 minutes. The step-counting devices were also validated while children walked on level ground at a self-selected pace. RESULTS. For the commercially available pedometers at the lowest speed of 0.5 mph, the percentage error approximated 100% for both of the pedometers. At the fastest speed of 2.0 mph, the percentage error approximated 60%. Conversely the accelero-meter-based step-counter showed a percentage error of 24% ± 22% (mean ± SD) at 0.5 mph;however, as walking speed increased, the error declined to 5% ± 8% at 1.0 mph, 4% ± 5% at 1.5 mph, and 2% ± 2% at 2.0 mph. The relationship between steps counted and walking energy expenditure showed good linear correlation. CONCLUSIONS. Commercially available pedometers are less accurate for measuring walking and require discretion in their use for children. The accuracy of the accelerometer-based step-counter enables it to be used as a tool to assess and potentially promote physical activity in normal and overweight children.
AB - OBJECTIVE. In this study, we investigated the accuracy of measuring walking steps with commercially available pedometers and an accelerometer-based step-counter in normal and overweight children. Our primary hypothesis was that commercially available pedometers are not an accurate measure of walking steps in normal and overweight children while walking. Our secondary hypothesis was that the accelero-meter-based step-counter provides an accurate measure of walking steps in normal and overweight children. METHODS. Thirteen boys (11 ± 1 years) and 14 girls (11 ± 1 years) who ranged in BMI from 15 to 27 kg/m 2 (16 normal and 11 overweight or obese) were recruited. Each child wore 4 pedometers at the waist and 1 accelerometer-based step-counter on each ankle. Steps were manually counted and energy expenditure was measured while the child walked on the treadmill at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mph, each for 5 minutes. The step-counting devices were also validated while children walked on level ground at a self-selected pace. RESULTS. For the commercially available pedometers at the lowest speed of 0.5 mph, the percentage error approximated 100% for both of the pedometers. At the fastest speed of 2.0 mph, the percentage error approximated 60%. Conversely the accelero-meter-based step-counter showed a percentage error of 24% ± 22% (mean ± SD) at 0.5 mph;however, as walking speed increased, the error declined to 5% ± 8% at 1.0 mph, 4% ± 5% at 1.5 mph, and 2% ± 2% at 2.0 mph. The relationship between steps counted and walking energy expenditure showed good linear correlation. CONCLUSIONS. Commercially available pedometers are less accurate for measuring walking and require discretion in their use for children. The accuracy of the accelerometer-based step-counter enables it to be used as a tool to assess and potentially promote physical activity in normal and overweight children.
KW - Children
KW - Energy expenditure
KW - Obesity
KW - Pedometers
KW - Physical activity
KW - Walking
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=59449103274&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=59449103274&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1542/peds.2008-1908
DO - 10.1542/peds.2008-1908
M3 - Article
C2 - 19117834
AN - SCOPUS:59449103274
SN - 0031-4005
VL - 123
SP - e127-e131
JO - Pediatrics
JF - Pediatrics
IS - 1
ER -