Promotion of physical activity in low-income mothers using pedometers.
OBJECTIVE
This study tested the effectiveness of a pedometer program for increasing physical activity levels and reducing body weight in overweight and obese mothers of young children.


METHODS
Participants' motivational readiness to exercise, exercise self-efficacy, pedometer steps, pedometer kilocalories, and anthropometrics were evaluated at week 0 and week 8; anthropometrics were reassessed at week 24. Healthful-weight mothers provided comparison data at baseline.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 93 intervention women (body mass index [calculated as kg/m(2)] >or=25) and 31 comparison women (body mass index <25) were recruited from public health clinics, community centers, and churches. Eligibility criteria included Hispanic, African-American, or white ethnicity and low income (<200% of the federal poverty index).


METHODS
An 8-week physical activity and dietary program was conducted.


METHODS
Motivational readiness to exercise, exercise self-efficacy, pedometer steps, and weight loss.


METHODS
Independent sample t tests, chi(2) tests, paired t tests, Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests, repeated measures analysis of variance, and Pearson and Spearman correlations.


RESULTS
Mothers enhanced their motivational readiness to exercise, exercise self-efficacy, pedometer steps, and pedometer kilocalories. Reductions in body weight, percent body fat, and waist circumference also were observed. Significant correlations were found between exercise self-efficacy and exercise readiness (r=0.28, P<0.01), pedometer steps (r=0.30, P<0.01), and pedometer kilocalories (r=0.28, P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This intervention successfully increased the physical activity levels and promoted weight loss in low-income mothers. Public health clinics may wish to incorporate elements of this intervention into their programs to improve the physical fitness of recipients.
Clarke
Kristine K
KK
Division of Nutrition, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Freeland-Graves
Jeanne
J
Klohe-Lehman
Deborah M
DM
Milani
Tracey J
TJ
Nuss
Henry J
HJ
Laffrey
Shirley
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D009042:Motivation; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011203:Poverty; D020377:Self Efficacy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D015431:Weight Loss