title: Pedometer-determined physical activity of Western Kenyan children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is speculated that rural Kenyan children are more physically active than those in developed countries. The purpose of this study was to examine pedometer-measured physical activity levels of western Kenyan youth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants in this study were children in Levels 3 and 5 who attended a private primary school. The sample (n = 72) consisted of 43 girls and 29 boys (average age = 9.8 ± 1.1, range = 8-12 years). Age, gender, tribe, and height and weight measures were collected. Weight status category was determined according to CDC guidelines. Participants wore a sealed Yamax pedometer for 4 weekdays during the measurement period. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and 2-way ANOVA (age × gender).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total sample averaged 14558 ± 3993 daily steps. There was no significant effect for age [F(4,68) = 1.682, P = .102] nor significant age × gender interaction [F(4,68)=1.956, P = .117]. There was a significant effect for gender [F(1,68) = 4.791, P = .033], with boys (16262 ± 4698) significantly more active than girls (13463 ± 3051).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observed daily steps are higher than those observed in the U.S., similar to samples in other developed countries, but lower than Amish youth.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Sports Medicine, University of Southern Maine, Gorham, ME, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Croteau
authors.forename: Grant
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schofield
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Towle
authors.forename: Vijiayarani
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Suresh
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male