title: Reduction in pedometer-determined physical activity in the adult Danish population from 2007 to 2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the development in pedometer-determined physical activity from 2007-2008 to 2011-2012 in the adult Danish population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population comprised two random samples of 18-75-year-old individuals who took part in cross-sectional studies in 2007-2008 (n=224) and 2011-2012 (n=1515). Pedometer data (sealed Yamax SW 200) were obtained for seven consecutive days. Data for 1624 participants (48.2% men) were included in the analysis. An overall step-defined activity level was examined based on a graduated step index (sedentary, low active, somewhat active, active, highly active). The pedometer-determined outcomes were analysed using regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A borderline significant decline (p=0.077) from 8788 to 8341 steps/day (-446 (95% confidence intervals -50, 943)) was found between 2007-2008 and 2011-2012. Furthermore, a 23.7% (95% confidence intervals -41.7%, -0.1%) lower overall step-defined activity level was observed in 2011-2012 compared to 2007-2008. These changes were primarily due to a reduced level of activity among women. The proportion of individuals taking ⩾10,000 steps/day decreased non-significantly from 34.8% to 29.3%, whereas the proportion taking <5000 steps/day did not differ between survey periods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This nationally representative survey suggests an overall reduction in the physical activity level among Danish adults. The reduction was due to a shift in the population distribution from higher to lower levels of activity. If this shift is true, it is worrying from a public health perspective. Our study result needs, however, to be confirmed by other population studies.
authors: Division of Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Søborg, Denmark jmat@food.dtu.dk.
authors: Jeppe
authors: J
authors: Matthiessen
authors: Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark.
authors: Elisabeth Wreford
authors: EW
authors: Andersen
authors: School of Sport Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden Department of Food, Nutrition and Sport Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors: Anders
authors: A
authors: Raustorp
authors: Division of Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Søborg, Denmark.
authors: Vibeke Kildegaard
authors: VK
authors: Knudsen
authors: Division of Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Søborg, Denmark.
authors: Mette Rosenlund
authors: MR
authors: Sørensen
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Scandinavia; Steps; pedometry; surveillance; trends