Demographic and individual correlates of achieving 10,000 steps/day: use of pedometers in a population-based study

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Abstract
Issues addressed The 10,000 steps per day message has become popular, yet few studies have examined correlates associated with achieving this behaviour target. This paper examines demographic and individual factors associated with adults achieving 10,000 steps/day. Method Participants in a state‐wide, cross‐sectional physical activity survey were invited to take part in a pedometer study (n=603, 45% response rate). A pedometer was worn for one week and daily steps recorded in a diary. Participants providing four or more days of pedometer data (n=428) were dichotomised based on achievement of 10,000 steps/day. Results Men performed significantly more daily steps than women on average (10,079±3,848 and 9,169± 3,800, p=0.01). In males, those less likely to achieve 10,000 steps/day were 60 years of age (OR=0.21) and overweight (i.e. body mass index 25kgm2) (OR=0.40), while men who regularly walked in the workplace (OR=1.44), who did vigorous activity at work (OR=3.75), or who were employed in a blue‐collar occupation (OR=4.45) were more likely to report reaching this target. In women, being overweight (OR=0.55) was negatively associated with achieving 10,000 steps/day, while participating in 150 minutes of leisure‐time physical activity/week (OR=2.26) was positively associated with reaching this target. Conclusion Workplace physical activity and working in blue‐collar occupations contributes to the achievement of 10,000 steps/day in males. People who achieve current national physical activity guidelines also achieve 10,000 steps/day. Older adults and those overweight are less likely to achieve this behaviour target. So what? Specific interventions should be targeted at older and overweight adults to encourage these groups to achieve the 10,000 steps/day behaviour target.

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