| With recent emphasis on the accumulation of moderate activity throughout the day, coupled with the fact that there is a trend toward decreasing activity as teens progress through high school, it makes sense to find a way to accurately and objectively measure the physical activity patterns of teens. The Digi-Walker pedometer has been shown to be an accurate, cost-effective, unobtrusive way to measure physical activity in children as well as adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the current activity levels of teens using both an objective measure, the pedometer, and a subjective measure, the National Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance Survey (NYRBSS). More specifically, grade, sex, involvement in physical education, and involvement in sports were examined as factors relating to the activity levels of teens. Lastly, comparisons were made for involvement in moderate and vigorous activity and sedentary behavior as assessed by questionnaire, and the number of step counts that were accumulated. High school teens (N = 603) wore sealed pedometers for four consecutive days. Analysis showed no differences among grade but did find a significant difference between sexes. In addition, significant differences in step counts were found between teens who participated in physical education and sports versus those who did not. Teens who self-reported meeting national recommendations for moderate and vigorous activity took significantly more steps than those teens who did not report meeting the recommendations; those who self-reported being sedentary took significantly fewer steps than those who reported some activity. Teens who participate in related bouts of activity, physical education, and sport are more likely to take more steps than those who are not involved in activity bouts. |
