Pedometer use in the context of the 10,000 Steps Rockhampton project : results from a population survey

Although pedometers are becoming popular as both measurement and motivational tools in physical activity promotion, little is known about use of pedometers in a population context. A population-based CATI survey was used to explore issues relating to pedometer use and utility in the context of the 10,000 Steps Rockhampton project (N=1227) and in a non-intervention comparison community (Mackay, N=1232). The results showed that the majority of respondents knew what a pedometer was (Rockhampton 79%, Mackay 59.5%). Not surprisingly, pedometer use was much higher in Rockhampton (22.1% of respondents reported that they had used a pedometer in the last 18 months) than in Mackay (5.9%). In Rockhampton, the odds of using a pedometer were higher in women (OR 1.27 CI: 0.94-1.69) and in people aged 35-44 (OR 1.47 CI: 0.98-2.21) (compared with men, and people in younger age groups). There were no differences in pedometer use across BMI categories. In both Rockhampton and Mackay, those in the highest category of household income were more than twice as likely to have used a pedometer than those in the lowest income category.. Also in both locations, respondents who were not meeting the current physical activity guidelines were about half as likely to report having used a pedometer as those meeting the guidelines (Mackay OR 0.45, C1:0.28-0.75); Rockhampton OR 0.62, C1:0.46-0.83). In the context of the 10,000 Steps Rockhampton intervention, pedometer awareness was high, and the majority of pedometer users felt that they were useful in helping with physical activity levels. The authors acknowledge the support of Queensland Health in the completion of this project.