Energy Expenditure of Eight Walking Activities in Normal Weight and Obese High School Students: Using an Indirect Calorimeter and Accelerometers Worn on Ankle and Waist

ABSTRACT

The purposes of this study were to assess energy expenditure of eight walking activities in normal weight and overweight or obese high school students and to evaluate the accuracy of two accelerometers worn on the ankle and waist. Thirty-five (male 17, female 18) healthy high school students participated in this study. They were classified into normal weight (n=21) and overweight or obese (n=14) groups. The subjects completed five treadmill walking activities (TW2.4, TW3.2, TW4.0, TW4.8, TW5.6), followed by three self-selected hallway walking activities (walk as if walking and talking with a friend HWL, walk as if hurrying across the street at a cross-walk HWB, walk as fast as you can but do not run HWF). Energy expenditure and metabolic equivalents (METs) were measured using a portable indirect calorimeter, and predicted energy expenditures and METs were derived from two accelerometers placed on the ankle and waist. Measured energy expenditures per body weight (kg) of eight walking activities were significantly higher in the normal weight group than in the obese group and significantly higher in female than male. The ankle accelerometer overestimated energy expenditures and METs (bias 49.4~105.5%), whereas the waist accelerometer underestimated energy expenditures and METs (bias −30.3~−85.8). Except for HWF (fast) activity, METs of seven activities were moderate intensity based on Compendium METs intensity categories. HWF (fast) activity was vigorous intensity. METs from the ankle accelerometer were vigorous intensity except TW2.4 activity (moderate intensity). METs from the waist accelerometer were low intensity (TW2.4, TW3.2, TW4.0, TW4.8, HWL) and moderate intensity (TW5.6, HWB, HWF). Physical activity guidelines were developed based on measured physical activity level of high school students. Further studies should investigate the effects of body composition in larger subjects.