The pedometer is a widely used research tool for measuring the level and extent of physical activity (PA) within population subgroups. The sample used in this study was drawn from a population of university students to examine the influence of the monitoring interval and alternate starting days on step-count activity patterns. The study was part of a national project during 2008–2010. Eligible subjects (641) were selected from a sample of 906 university students. The students wore pedometers continuously for 7 days excluding time for sleep and personal hygiene. Steps per day were logged on record sheets by each student. Data gathering spanned an entire week, and the results were sorted by alternate starting days, by activity for an entire week, by activity for only the weekdays of the one-week monitoring interval and for the two-day weekend. The statistical analysis included ANOVA, intra-class correlation (ICC) analysis, and regression analysis. The ICC analysis suggested that monitoring starting on Monday (ICC = 0.71; 95%CI (0.61–0.79)), Tuesday (ICC = 0.67; 95%CI (0.59–0.75)) or Thursday (ICC = 0.68; 95%CI (0.55–0.79)) improved reliability. The results of regression analysis also indicated that any starting day except Sunday is satisfactory as long as a minimum of four days of monitoring are used.

Attitude influences behavior, and few people are better situated than physical educators to encourage positive attitudes toward lifelong wellness.

Background: Food cravings typically influence individuals’ diets and ultimately their health. However, the differences in food cravings between genders with normal BMI values are unclear. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in food craving intensity between genders with normal BMI values. Methods: The research group consisted of 1,394 participants (67% females, 33% males) between 15 and 92 years of age with normal BMI values. The self-reported General Food-Craving Questionnaire-Trait (G-FCQ-T) was used to determine individuals’ food craving intensity on four subscales: preoccupation with food, loss of self-control-once eating, positive outcome expectations, and emotional craving. Results: The result suggested that there is no difference between males and females in the intensity of food cravings evaluated by the G-FCQ-T total score; however, gender differences were confirmed in two subscale scores. Positive outcome expectations subscale score was higher for males than for females, and an emotional craving subscale score was higher for females than for males. Discussion: Data indicated that the males’ and females’ food cravings are affected by different mechanisms. Translation to Health Education Practice: Findings confirmed the importance of creating gender-specific norms in dietary interventions.

Background: Eating habits play a crucial role in weight control management; however, little research has examined whether frequency of breakfast consumption influences body mass index (BMI) in middle childhood. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to (a) determine the relationship between BMI and the frequency of breakfast consumption, (b) examine gender differences in the frequency of eating breakfast and starting time of breakfast after waking up, and (c) explore breakfast composition. Methods: The research group consisted of 298 children aged 9–10 years (164 boys and 134 girls). Frequency of breakfast consumption, starting time of breakfast after waking up, and breakfast composition were determined by questionnaire. Results: A statistically significant difference in the regularity of breakfast consumption was found between children of the underweight, healthy weight, and overweight/obese groups (P < .001). There was no statistical gender effect for the frequency and timing of the breakfast (P>.05). Discussion: Our data indicate that regular consumption of breakfast is related to BMI values in children aged 9–10 years independent of gender. Translation to Health Education Practice: Our finding confirmed the importance of breakfast consumption and a healthy eating pattern in middle childhood.