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Pedometer intervention modestly reduces BMI, body weight in type 2 diabetes
Adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes saw a moderate reduction in BMI and body weight after a pedometer intervention, according to a recent meta-analysis.
Researchers analyzed 11 randomized controlled trials conducted between 2004 and 2013 involving a pedometer intervention and its effect on weight loss, as measured by BMI or body weight. Meta-analysis included 1,258 adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes. Studies compared participants assigned pedometer intervention with controls or those who used pedometers only to record daily steps; sample sizes ranged from 30 to 494 participants (mean age range across studies, 49 to 68 years; pedometer intervention duration, 6 to 48 weeks). Two of the studies included dietary counseling along with pedometer intervention. Researchers used a random-effects model to aggregate effect sizes and subgroup and meta-regression analyses to identify potential moderators.
Researchers found that participants in pedometer intervention experienced a significant reduction in BMI (weighted mean difference [WMD], –0.15 kg/m²; 95% CI, –0.29 to –0.02) and body weight (WMD, –0.65 kg; 95% CI, –1.12 to –0.17) vs. controls.
In subgroup analyses, researchers found that pedometer intervention with dietary counseling led to significant declines in BMI (WMD, –0.3 kg/m²; 95% CI, –0.5 to –0.1) and body weight (WMD, –0.85 kg; 95% CI, –1.45 to –0.27) vs. controls who received dietary counseling. “Step goals” did not predict significant changes in BMI or body weight.
“Interestingly, [randomized controlled trials] employing intention-to-treat analyses showed that pedometer intervention significantly decreased BMI (WMD, –0.22 kg/m²; 95% CI, –0.39 to –0.05) and reduced weight (WMD, –0.77 kg; 95% CI, –1.28 to –0.25),” the researchers wrote. Baseline age, BMI, weight, sex, disease duration, intervention duration, baseline values or change scores of total physical activity did not have a significant influence on outcomes.
In the two trials that reported follow-up outcomes (n = 133; mean follow-up period, 33.5 weeks), researchers found that participants in pedometer intervention experienced nonsignificant declines in BMI and body weight vs. controls.
“Pedometer intervention is a promising approach for promoting weight loss in overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes that modestly reduces BMI and weight,” the researchers wrote. “In order to better understand the association between pedometer intervention and weight loss, future studies are required to document the changes in physical activity, dietary behavior and sedentary time, as well as to investigate changes in body composition.” – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.