Elaine Borawski, PhD¹, Jane A. Brown, PhD¹, Erika S. Trapl, MS¹, and Melissa Zullo, MS². (1) Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Center for Health Promotion Research, 11430 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, 216-368-1617, eab@hal.cwru.edu, (2) Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, 11430 Euclid Ave., Triangle Building, Cleveland, OH 44106

Background: The usefulness of the pedometer for assessing physical activity among adolescents in supervised settings has been established. There are few studies of adolescents in a free-living environment. Objective: To explore the viability of using the digital pedometer as a motivational tool to increase physical activity levels among 11-13 year olds in non-supervised settings. The project was a major part of a curriculum focused on the balance between energy intake and output. Description: The program is the control arm of a school-randomized trial to study the effectiveness of two alternative sex education programs currently being carried out in three urban middle schools. Eight lessons were delivered to 234 7th grade students, who will be followed through the end of the 8th grade. Four challenges were issued for virtual walks to predetermined destinations. Students were instructed to wear the device during waking hours, and total step counts were taken at the end of each challenge. Students were also given logs to record daily step count, exercise type, frequency, intensity, and duration. Results: Although the digital pedometer is inexpensive ($10 each), the over-all expense made a high return rate imperative to the viability of future studies. A return rate of 90% was achieved at the end of the 4th challenge. Conclusion: A pedometer-based nutrition and physical activity program designed to measure free-living activity among 11-13 year olds can be delivered successfully in a middle school setting.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about the process involved in the delivery of a pedometer-based nutrition and physical activity curriculum in a middle school setting.
• Identify the factors necessary to successfully implement a pedometer-based middle school curriculum.
• Apply the described procedures to develop a successful pedometer-based middle school nutrition and physical activity curriculum.

Keywords: Curricula, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.