Live Right Live Well
Expert Q&A
How exactly does my pedometer work, and is it really accurate?
BY: Jennifer Viegas
Pedometers measure how much walking you do, based on the number of steps you take. They work by measuring the up-and-down movement of your hips as you walk. The quality and price of pedometers varies widely, as does their accuracy, according to Stacy Clemes, Ph.D., lecturer in ergonomics at Loughborough University in England, who recently conducted a study on the devices.
To find out how your pedometer rates, Clemes recommends the 50-step test. "For this test, you simply wear the pedometer, ensure that it is showing zero steps and then walk 50 paces at your usual walking speed," she instructs. "The pedometer should ideally be accurate to within 3 percent of actual steps taken." In other words, after taking 50 steps, your pedometer should read no less than 48 steps and no more than 52.
For the most accurate readings, Clemes recommends wearing your pedometer on your waistband or belt, "in line with the midline of the thigh." It also helps to walk at a brisk pace, generally above 2.5 to 3 mph, since pedometers are less accurate at slower speeds.
Tags: exercise , fitness , health , technology , wellness
Jennifer Viegas, contributing writer to Live Right Live Well, has covered health, food and fitness for ABC News, Discovery online, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. and Knight Ridder newspapers. The author of more than 20 books, she is also a James Beard Award nominee.
Recipe of the Week
Curried Barley Pilaf
Make a healthy side dish exotic by swapping plain rice for barley and spicing it with curry.
Full Recipe >>Related
Food Facts
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- Collards, mustard greens and kale are available in bags, pre-washed & chopped -- so they’re easy to steam or saute! Eat your greens as a side dish or in quesadillas, soups & stews.
- Avocados are rich in 20 nutrients and great beyond guacamole. Chop for a ham, egg and cheese wrap; slice for a deli roast beef sandwich; cube and toss into linguini and shrimp.
- Black-eyed Peas: Fresh, canned and frozen varieties are all nutrient-rich options -- making it easier to eat your daily veggies. Rinse and drain canned peas to cut down on salt.
- Ugli Fruit, beautiful benefits! Peel & eat for fiber & vitamin C. Choose fruit heavy for size; dents normal and color not important. Store on counter 5 days or refrigerate 2 weeks.
- Radicchio, also known as Italian chicory, is high in vitamin K for bone health. Great in salads: Choose bright, tender leaves; avoid brown or limp ones. Refrigerate up to 3 days.
- Cherimoya, a high-fiber tropical fruit, tastes like a mix of strawberry and mango. Choose firm, unblemished fruit, cut in wedges and spoon out creamy flesh.
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- Fish, the best source of omega-3 fats for heart and brain health, may even help ward off depression. Mix canned white tuna, salmon and sardines for an omega-rich seafood salad.
- Orange juice is filled with immune-boosting nutrients that fight colds and the flu: vitamins C and B6, folate, potassium and magnesium. Choose 100% juice with no added sugar.
- Walnuts are a significant source of plant-based omega-3 fats. These fats -- also in ground flaxseed, canola oil and edamame -- provide many heart-healthy benefits.
- Pear, apple and Asian pear slices + yogurt-based dips = winning strategy for game-day parties. Combine Greek vanilla yogurt with chocolate-hazelnut spread for a fast, healthy dip.
- Pumpkin and sweet potato -- fresh, mashed or canned -- adds disease-fighting antioxidants to waffles and pancakes. Use whole-wheat flour to double your fiber and nutrient intake.
- Snack smart to achieve weight loss goals. Choose fast and fully edible fruits like grapes, apples, persimmon and kiwi. Yes, fuzzy kiwi skin is edible! Simply wash and rub dry.
Greek yogurt
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