Promoting the Health of Nurses Through a Web-based Pedometer Intervention

BACKGROUND: There are over 3 million nurses in the United States with 56% of this population being overweight or obese with coronary disease exceeding the national incidence. There exists an increasing unhealthy image of nursing which is impacting professional credibility and ability to educate populations. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based pedometer in addressing physical activity health promotion behavior among nurses and perceived barriers to achievement. METHODS: A pilot 12 week web-based pedometer step tracking intervention (STeP -Self Tracking Exercise Program) was offered to practicing registered nurses who were recruited from a Midwest college of nursing and healthcare system. Participants tracked and recorded their steps daily utilizing a web-based activity/nutrition program with an interactive avatar. They also participated in three educational fitness sessions (aerobic. strength and resistance training). Exercise self-efficacy was measured using the General Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale (SEE) and health promoting beliefs by the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II). RESULTS: All participants increased physical activity from baseline with 40% achieving a 50% step increase. 87.5% meet or exceeded national guideline recommendations for sustained physical activity. Overall participant SEE demonstrated a moderately significant alpha equaling 0.1. HPLP-II demonstrated a 50% increase in health responsibility and 75% increase in physical activity belief about behavior. CONCLUSION: The web-based pedometer produced positive behavioral changes associated with physical activity. Self-efficacy produced mixed response. It was found to be feasible and warrants further application with a larger sample size to establish true validity in nurse environments and longevity promotion of physical activity.