Posted on Dec 13, 2011

Heart&Stroke Walkabout is interested in putting feet back on the streets and walking back in the hearts and minds of Nova Scotians. While physical activity is important for both males and females of all ages; Heart&Stroke Walkabout has recently branched out to support the physical activity needs of Nova Scotian girls in Grade 7.

According to a study titled Physical Activity Levels and Dietary Intake of Children and Youth (2005) only approximately 20% of females in Grade 7 met the study standard of physical activity and these results continue to drop to less than 1% of females in Grade 11 meeting the recommendations.1

From November 2010 – February 2011, 16 junior high schools across the province participated in a youth focused pilot project. Participating schools were selected based on school board region, interest and ability to participate. The purpose of the pilot project was to gather feedback on the use of pedometers and accompanying extra- curricular activities in supporting Grade 7 girls to be more active. Here are the results:

• 11 of the 16 schools tested pedometer with extracurricular resources and 5 schools tested pedometers without extra-curricular resources. Approximately 294 students participated in the pilot. 84% of participants were female
• Female students indicated that pedometers supported them to be more active by increasing self-awareness of physical activity levels
• On average, 80% of participants indicated they would wear a pedometer again, particularly female participants,  providing strong support for continued programming in this area

The pedometer kits are currently being updated based on the feedback received from the pilot. Recruitment letters will be distributed to schools across Nova Scotia who did not participate in the pilot to expand distribution in Fall 2011. In the future, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia is planning to provide a Grade 7 curriculum supplement to junior high schools as well.

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1Health Promotion and Protection. (2005) Physical Activity Levels and Dietary Intake of Children and Youth in the Province of Nova Scotia. Retrieved October 12, 2010 from
http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/pasr/akhk-research.asp

Categorized under media release, youth