@article{ref1,
title="Physical activity in an Old Order Amish community",
journal="Medicine and science in sports and exercise",
year="2004",
author="Bassett, David R. and Schneider, Patrick L. and Huntington, Gertrude E.",
volume="36",
number="1",
pages="79-85",
abstract="UNLABELLED: One method to assess the impact of modern technology on physical activity is to examine a group whose lifestyle has not changed markedly in the last 150 yr. The Old Order Amish refrain from driving automobiles, using electrical appliances, and employing other modern conveniences. Labor-intensive farming is still the preferred occupation. PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to characterize the physical activity (PA) levels in an Old Order Amish farming community and to examine measures of adiposity in this group. METHODS: Ninety-eight Amish adults (18-75 yr of age) in southern Ontario were studied. Anthropometric variables included height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and percent body fat (% BF). Participants were asked to wear an electronic pedometer for 7 d and to fill out a log sheet on which they recorded steps per day and physical activities. After 1 wk, they returned the pedometers and log sheets and filled out the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS: The average number of steps per day was 18,425 for men versus 14,196 for women (P < 0.05). Men reported 10.0 h.wk-1 of vigorous PA, 42.8 h.wk-1 of moderate PA, and 12.0 h.wk-1 of walking. Women reported 3.4 h.wk-1 of vigorous PA, 39.2 h.wk-1 of moderate PA, and 5.7 h.wk-1 of walking. Men had higher levels of energy expenditure than women (P < 0.001). A total of 25% of the men and 27% of the women were overweight (BMI > or = 25), and 0% of the men and 9% of the women were obese (BMI > or = 30). CONCLUSIONS: The Amish we studied had very high levels of physical activity, which may contribute to their low prevalence of obesity. This group probably represents an upper extreme for &quot;lifestyle PA&quot; in North America today.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0195-9131",
doi="10.1249/01.MSS.0000106184.71258.32",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.0000106184.71258.32"
}