Pedometer-based walking helps health

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Participating in a pedometer-based walking program can help in weight loss even without a change in diet, a U.S. researcher found.

An analysis of nine studies, published in the Annals of Family Medicine, showed a modest amount of pedometer-weight loss -- with more weight loss the longer the program.

Weight change for the nine studies ranged from a gain of about a half-pound to a loss of 8 pounds.The average weight loss was 2.8 pounds

"The amount of weight loss attributable to pedometer-based walking programs is small but significant," lead author Dr. Caroline Richardson of the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor said in a statement.

This analysis, Richardson said, should quell questions in the fitness and medical communities about the health benefits of pedometer-based walking programs.

"The increase in physical activity can be expected to result in health benefits that are independent of weight loss," Richardson said. "Increasing physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems, lowers blood pressure and helps dieters maintain lean muscle tissue when they are dieting."