Pedometer readings and self-reported walking distances in a rural hutterite population

Abstract

Purpose: This study assessed the accuracy with which a rural population reported daily walking distances using a 7-day activity recall questionnaire obtained quarterly compared to pedometer readings. Methods: Study participants were 48 Hutterite men and women aged 11-66 years. Findings: Pedometer-miles quartiles were associated with self-reported daily miles (P =.008) and self-reported previous-year average miles (P =.03) quartiles. Among males, the relationship between pedometer-miles and self-reported daily miles differed depending upon walking pace, with a stronger correlation at a faster pace (interaction, P =.006). Among females, pedometer-miles correlated with age and remained associated with self-reported daily and previous-year average miles when age was in the statistical model (P =.006 and.008). The difference between pedometer-miles and self-reported previous-year average miles tended to increase with age (P =.06). Conclusions: SDPAR may be a useful instrument in measuring miles walked/day among rural populations. © 2008 National Rural Health Association.