PRESCRIPTION OF STEP COUNTS FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT IN OVERWEIGHT/OBESE ADULTS
Disciplines
Exercise Science | Other Kinesiology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Each year, many adults alter their diets in an effort to lose weight, often with disappointing results. However, a recent study reported a strong inverse relationship between daily step counts and body fat percentage when steps were expressed relative to fat mass (e.g., steps·kg of fat-1 mass·day-1) while people were eating to their own comfort, suggesting that it may be possible to determine the average number of daily steps necessary to achieve a specific weight loss. Therefore, the purpose of this research study is to test the efficacy of application of relationship between daily steps and body composition reported in a previous study for producing predictable weight loss in overweight/obese adults. To accomplish this, up to 20 males and 20 females between 19-40 years of age who are overweight or obese will undergo an assessment of body weight and composition. Thereafter, the step count target will be identified by determining the step count associated with a 7% reduction in body weight. Participants will be given a triaxial pedometer which will be worn all day, every day, except while swimming or bathing, and will be encouraged to consistently accumulate their step count target. After three months, participants will undergo an assessment of body weight and composition identical to that which was conducted at the onset of the study, and step count targets will be adjusted if need be. After completing six months of pedometer wear, participants will undergo a final assessment of body weight and composition. Target weight will be compared with actual weight, and the efficacy of the model for yielding a predictable weight loss will be determined. If application of this model is shown to be effective at yielding predictable changes in body weight, it may present an effective and appealing alternative to dieting for weight management.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Exercise Science and Sport Management
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Bob Buresh
PRESCRIPTION OF STEP COUNTS FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT IN OVERWEIGHT/OBESE ADULTS
Each year, many adults alter their diets in an effort to lose weight, often with disappointing results. However, a recent study reported a strong inverse relationship between daily step counts and body fat percentage when steps were expressed relative to fat mass (e.g., steps·kg of fat-1 mass·day-1) while people were eating to their own comfort, suggesting that it may be possible to determine the average number of daily steps necessary to achieve a specific weight loss. Therefore, the purpose of this research study is to test the efficacy of application of relationship between daily steps and body composition reported in a previous study for producing predictable weight loss in overweight/obese adults. To accomplish this, up to 20 males and 20 females between 19-40 years of age who are overweight or obese will undergo an assessment of body weight and composition. Thereafter, the step count target will be identified by determining the step count associated with a 7% reduction in body weight. Participants will be given a triaxial pedometer which will be worn all day, every day, except while swimming or bathing, and will be encouraged to consistently accumulate their step count target. After three months, participants will undergo an assessment of body weight and composition identical to that which was conducted at the onset of the study, and step count targets will be adjusted if need be. After completing six months of pedometer wear, participants will undergo a final assessment of body weight and composition. Target weight will be compared with actual weight, and the efficacy of the model for yielding a predictable weight loss will be determined. If application of this model is shown to be effective at yielding predictable changes in body weight, it may present an effective and appealing alternative to dieting for weight management.