University students' knowledge, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and barriers related to reducing sedentary behavior: a qualitative study

To move or not to move while on campus: Examining the influence of others

OBJECTIVE

To examine the influence of dynamic and trending descriptive norms on increasing physical activity and decreasing the sedentary behaviors of university students while on campus.

PARTICIPANTS

One-hundred fifty-six university students from a Canadian university completed this study.

METHODS

Participants were randomly assigned to receive one of four online messages containing normative information about the on-campus behavior of university students. On-campus physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured pre- and post-message.

RESULTS

The results revealed that students exposed to the trending norm reported a greater decrease in sedentary behavior than students in the control condition, p = .007.

CONCLUSION

Results provide preliminary experimental evidence that trending norm messages may serve to decrease the sedentary behavior of students while on campus.

Effects of self-affirmation on university students' processing of health risk messages related to sedentary behavior

OBJECTIVE

Examine effects of self-affirmation on university students' processing of health risk messages related to sedentary behavior.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-eight students from a Canadian university (females = 53; males = 35; Mage = 21.74, SD = 5.36) participated during the 2018-2019 academic year.

METHODS

Participants were randomized to a self-affirmation (n = 43) or control group (n = 45), watched a video conveying sedentary behavior risk messages, and completed measures of acceptance, derogation, risk perceptions, negative affect, and intentions. A one-way between-groups multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) examined effects of condition on the combined set of outcome variables.

RESULTS

Self-affirmation had no observable effect on any outcome variables.

CONCLUSION

Self-affirmation did not appear to impact students' reactions to sedentary behavior risk messages. Given the lack of a manipulation check, however, this finding must be interpreted with caution. The Trigger and Channel framework offers a useful account of factors that influence self-affirmation effects. Implications and future research directions are discussed.

Appropriately Addressing Too Much Sitting as a Public Health Issue: Content Analysis of Coverage in the Five Major National Japanese Newspapers

Recent international public health guidelines now address reducing and breaking up time spent sitting (sedentary behavior). Japanese people spend considerable time sitting in workplaces and other contexts. With potential future public health guidelines in Japan, there is the need for greater public awareness of the importance of reducing sedentary time and of practical ways to do so. From the five major Japanese national newspapers, articles on sedentary behavior published between 2000 and 2021 were identified and coded for content analysis, including the main topic of the article, population group, sedentary behavior context or domain, health outcome, and solutions for reducing sedentary time. There were 53 articles identified, with sedentary behavior being the main topic in 22; workers as a population group appeared in 20 articles and workplaces as a domain in 22. More than 70% mentioned health influences, but fewer than 60% mentioned solutions. Further to informing the public about adverse health influences and consequences for workers and workplaces, there is also the need for improved coverage of the broader benefits of reducing sitting time, sedentary behavior among older adults and children, sitting in all aspects of daily life, and, importantly, considering public health guidelines and solutions for reducing prolonged sitting.

Feasibility of Reducing and Breaking Up University Students' Sedentary Behaviour: Pilot Trial and Process Evaluation

Background: Accumulating high levels of sedentary behaviour has been linked to poor health outcomes. This study examined the feasibility and preliminary, short-term effects of a theory-based intervention aimed at reducing total and prolonged sedentary behaviour in University students.

Design: A quasi-experimental (pre-post) pilot study. Methods: Nine ambulatory undergraduate students (Mean age = 22 ± 2.32) participated in a one-on-one session, including an educational component around the health effects of sedentary behaviour and three distinct activities (feedback, “pros and cons” exercise, and suggested behaviour change strategies). In addition, automated daily text messages targeting sedentary behaviour were sent for 6 days (four messages per day at fixed intervals). The Behaviour Change Wheel framework guided the intervention design process. Outcomes were assessed over 6 days in pre- and post-intervention periods and included accelerometer-based (activPAL) and self-reported (Nightly-Week-U) total sedentary time, as well as accelerometer-based number of steps and prolonged sedentary time. Students completed a process evaluation interview upon completing the trial.

Results: From pre- to post-intervention, there was a significant reduction in accelerometer-based total and prolonged sedentary time during weekend days. In addition, there was a significant increase in accelerometer-based standing time and stepping during weekend days. There were no statistically significant changes in accelerometer-based sedentary time, standing time or number of steps during weekdays. Process evaluation results indicated that the intervention and its assessment is feasible. Reductions in sedentary time were likely to be mediated by positive changes in the student's reflective and automatic motivation.

Conclusions: Findings from this small, short-term intervention suggest that a single one-on-one session, together with automated text messages, may help University students reduce sedentary behaviour and enhance movement during weekend days. Additional strategies to maximise the intervention effects are discussed (e.g., establishing a collaboration with University staff, introducing sit-to-stand desks, and/or facilitating social support). A randomised control trial assessing sedentary behaviour over a longer period is needed to adequately study the intervention's effectiveness.