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Fat Kids Dupe Docs, Rig Pedometers

By Mat Probasco, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 12, 2009 9:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – Researchers couldn't understand why the pedometers they had attached to obese children showed they got plenty of exercise—until they realized they were counting dog steps, reports the BBC. Several of the London 11- and 12-year-olds taking part in the study simply attached the devices to their pets' collars.

"After a week we found there were some kids who were extremely active but still obese," said one professor. After adjusting for the dog steps, the study found boys took just 12,620 steps a day, well below the recommended 15,000 steps. Girls took 10,150 steps, short of their recommended 12,000 steps.

Puerto Rican boys exercise at a gym specializing in children's fitness in Puerto Rico. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

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Fat Kids Dupe Docs, Rig Pedometers

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Army Wants to Fight Obesity—With Fat Injections

New research award asks companies for a way to generate 'good' brown fat

Bikinis Balloon for Expanding Girls From Ipanema

We're not all Gisele Bundchen, says a Copacabana mom

US Obesity Rates Leveling Off

After 30 years on the rise, rates appear to be stabilizing

Kids Who Hate Mom Twice as Likely to Become Obese

Toddlers with poor relationships with mom may suffer in terms of health

Ohio Boy, 8, Taken From Mom Because He's Obese

Third-grader weighs more than 200 pounds

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Fat Kids Dupe Docs, Rig Pedometers

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

obesity • childhood obesity • fat • obese • pedometer

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Army Wants to Fight Obesity—With Fat Injections

New research award asks companies for a way to generate 'good' brown fat

Bikinis Balloon for Expanding Girls From Ipanema

We're not all Gisele Bundchen, says a Copacabana mom

US Obesity Rates Leveling Off

After 30 years on the rise, rates appear to be stabilizing

Kids Who Hate Mom Twice as Likely to Become Obese

Toddlers with poor relationships with mom may suffer in terms of health

Ohio Boy, 8, Taken From Mom Because He's Obese

Third-grader weighs more than 200 pounds

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?