Health Watch By Steve Mullenix

The North Jefferson News



Are you still looking for that unique gift for the unique individual?

You want something that is fun and maybe even a little helpful. Something healthy would be nice, but most of all something unique and out of the ordinary that the individual would not buy for him or her self.

How about a pedometer? It’s a fun and healthy stocking stuffer.

Now you ask, what the heck is a pedometer? A pedometer senses your body motion and counts your footsteps. This count can then be converted into distance by knowing the length of your usual stride.

Wearing a pedometer and recording your daily steps and distance is a great motivating tool to promote walking. We all have heard of the benefits of daily walking and daily exercise, for example it lowers the cholesterol, helps weight management and increases cardiovascular health.

The invention of the pedometer is commonly attributed to President Thomas Jefferson, but drawings from the 15th century indicate Leonard de Vinci was the conceptual originator.

In Japan pedometers and walking clubs have been very popular for over 30 years, where most households own more than two pedometers. Early pedometers in this country were mechanical and subject to large errors, making them undependable. The new electronic ones available today are a giant STEP forward in accuracy and function. Today’s pedometers not only count steps, but actually record the distance walked. More advanced models include caloric measurements as well.

You can become a walking trivia guru by dropping these quick facts as you watch your friend or family member open his/her new pedometer.

• Men average 7,192 steps per day

• Women average 5,210 steps per day

• People with large BMI’s (Body Mass Indexes) – take fewer steps than the average person

• People walk more on weekdays than on weekends

• People need to walk an extra 2,000 – 3,000 steps per day above their average to promote weight loss and gain the benefits of a walking program

• For most people, 10,000 steps per day is about 5 miles of walking, (unless you’re a waitress or nurse you may find this difficult)

• Each 2,000 – 2,500 steps is about a mile, or about 100 calories for the 150-pound person

Now that you have informed and amazed your friends and family with your extensive knowledge of this electronic marvel, it is time to start them walking.

Researchers have reported that pedometers help people get more exercise each day. Women with a pedometer and a goal of 10,000 steps per day walked more than those with a goal of a brisk 30 minute program per day. By wearing the pedometer all day and setting the goal of 10,000 steps per day, you’ll find yourself finding ways to add additional steps, like:

• Parking further from your destination

• Taking the stairs rather than the elevator

• Adding a stroll at lunch

• Enjoying an evening walk with friend or family

• Compete with others who have pedometers

The evidence continues to accumulate that pedometers are practical, accurate and motivating tools for the measurement of physician activity. If you’re interested you can normally find pedometers at most drugstores or fitness stores.

Steve Mullenix (R.Ph) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with his wife, Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.). They can be reached at 631-1201.