Table 1 Numbers of persons in successive stages of the pedometer scenario, and associated costs

Dutch population aged 20–65 years visiting GP

7,270,000

Visiting participating GP

2,726,000

7,270,000*0.375

Approaching patients, by GP assistant (1 min)

0.66

1,799,160

Screened with the SQUASH questionnaire

2,263,000

2,726,000*0.83

Checking physical-activity level, by GP (3 min)

6.66

15,071,580

Target population (those not norm active)

997,900

2,263,000*0.441

Counseling, by GP (10 min)

22.20

22,153,380

Receiving a pedometer

498,900

997,900*0.50

Pedometer with electronic diary

19.95

9,953,055

Participating in follow-up sessions

249,500

498,900*0.50

Three follow-up sessions, by GP assistant (10 min each)

19.80

4,940,100

Not changing physical-activity level:

243,600

Based on POLS data, and estimation of long-term effect (see Methods section)

Inactive adults becoming semi-active:

1,300

Inactive adults becoming norm active:

3,500

Insufficiently active adults becoming norm active:

1,100