BackgroundBeing overweight is associated not only with physical health problems, but also
with risk of mental health problems. Increased physical activity (PA) has been
recommended for the prevention of cardiovascular disease; however, little is known
about the effect of walking on physical and mental health outcomes.ObjectiveThe purpose of the study was to explore the effectiveness of a pedometer-based PA
intervention on physical and mental health states.MethodThirty-five overweight participants with body mass index (BMI) ≥25
kg•m–2 were selected and assigned to a 12-week pedometer-based
walking program (10,000 steps•d–1). The profile of mood states, BMI,
waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (%BF), and lean body mass (LBM) were
measured before and after the 12-week intervention. The number of step counts was
recorded 5 days a week in a diary booklet.ResultsThe 30 participants who accumulated 10,000 steps•d–1 had significantly
lower anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue, confusion, and total mood distress
scores compared with measurements taken prior to the intervention. Further, the
participants had higher vigor scores compared to baseline. Regarding physical
health, the participants who accrued 10,000 steps a day had significantly lower
body weight, WC, BMI, and %BP. After adjustment for gender, height, and daily
steps at follow-up, changes in WC were negatively associated with depression,
fatigue, confusion, and total mood distress.ConclusionsAn increase in PA by accumulating at least 10,000 steps•d–1 over a
12-week period improves physical and mood states in sedentary, overweight
individuals.