Commonly employed behaviour change techniques within successful interventions included goals and planning , feedback and monitoring , social support and repetition and substitution .
Conclusions Walking interventions , particularly those conducted in the school environment , have the potential to increase PA in children and adolescents .
Conclusions on which interventions most effectively increased walking behaviours in this population were hindered by the limited number of identified interventions and the short duration of interventions evaluated .
Background  Physical activity ( PA ) levels decline as children move into adolescence , with this decline more notable in girls .
As a consequence , many young people are failing to meet current PA guidelines .
Walking has been a cornerstone of PA promotion in adults and may provide an effective means of increasing PA levels among younger people .
Objective Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of interventions aim ed at promoting increased levels of walking  among children and adolescents .
Defining accelerometer thresholds for activity intensities in adolescent girls.
PURPOSE To derive a regression equation that estimates metabolic equivalent ( MET ) from accelerometer counts , and to define thresholds of accelerometer counts that can be used to delineate sedentary , light , moderate , and vigorous activity in adolescent girls . METHODS Seventy-four healthy 8th grade girls , age 13 - 14 yr , were recruited from urban areas of Baltimore , MD , Minneapolis/St . Paul , MN , and Columbia , SC , to participate in the study .  Accelerometer and oxygen consumption (.-)VO(2 ) ) data for 10 activities that varied in intensity from sedentary ( e.g. , TV watching ) to vigorous ( e.g. , running ) were collected . While performing these activities , the girls wore two accelerometers , a heart rate monitor and a Cosmed K4b2 portable metabolic unit for measurement of (.-)VO(2 ) . A r and om-coefficients model was used to estimate the relationship between accelerometer counts and (.-)VO(2 ) . Activity thresholds were defined by minimizing the false positive and false negative classifications . RESULTS The activities provided a wide range in (.-)VO(2 ) ( 3 - 36 mL x kg x min ) with a correspondingly wide range in accelerometer counts ( 1- 3928 counts x 30 s ) . The regression line for MET score versus counts was MET = 2.01 + /- 0.00171 ( counts x 30 s ) ( mixed model R = 0.84 , SEE = 1.36 ) . A threshold of 1500 counts x 30 s defined the lower end of the moderate intensity ( approximately 4.6 METs ) range of physical activity . That cutpoint distinguished between slow and brisk walking , and gave the lowest number of false positive and false negative classifications . The threshold ranges for sedentary , light , moderate , and vigorous physical activity were found to be 0 - 50 , 51- 1499 , 1500 - 2600 , and > 2600 counts x 30 s , respectively . CONCLUSION The developed equation and these activity thresholds can be used for prediction of MET score from accelerometer counts and participation in various intensities of physical activity in adolescent girls
Commonly employed behaviour change techniques within successful interventions included goals and planning , feedback and monitoring , social support and repetition and substitution .
Conclusions Walking interventions , particularly those conducted in the school environment , have the potential to increase PA in children and adolescents .
Conclusions on which interventions most effectively increased walking behaviours in this population were hindered by the limited number of identified interventions and the short duration of interventions evaluated .
Background  Physical activity ( PA ) levels decline as children move into adolescence , with this decline more notable in girls .
As a consequence , many young people are failing to meet current PA guidelines .
Walking has been a cornerstone of PA promotion in adults and may provide an effective means of increasing PA levels among younger people .
Objective Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of interventions aim ed at promoting increased levels of walking  among children and adolescents .