The Impact of Educational Intervention Based on Theory of Planned Behavior for Promoting Physical Activity Among Middle-Aged Women Referring to Karaj (Iran) Health Centers

Effects of virtual interventions based on the theory of planned behavior to improve obesity-preventive lifestyle among girls, during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a critical period for the spread of obesity and overweight. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of an educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior on promoting obesity-related behaviors in overweight female students in Gachsaran.

METHODS

this quasi-experimental study was conducted on 90 female students of the first secondary school in the form of two intervention and control groups. Information related to nutritional status and the structures of the theory of planned behavior were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability have been confirmed. The educational intervention was carried out during five virtual training sessions. The data obtained three months after the intervention were analyzed using SPSS statistical software, version 20, using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, and equivalent non-parametric tests.

RESULTS

The present study showed that the scores of the constructs of awareness, perceived behavior control, subjective norms, intention, and nutritional behaviors were significantly improved after the intervention (p < 0.001). The results of the Mann-Whitney test showed that the two intervention and control groups did not have a significant difference in terms of the average overall physical activity score after the intervention (p = 0.078).

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study showed that training based on the theory of planned behavior in the conditions of COVID-19 disease and in a virtual form had an effect on nutritional behavior but could not increase physical activity behavior in adolescents with weight loss.

A scoping review of behavior change techniques used to promote physical activity among women in midlife

Women in midlife experience health risks that could be mitigated by regular physical activity and reduced sedentary time, but this population rarely achieves physical activity levels that would protect their health. As a result, many behavioral interventions are designed to promote physical activity in this population, which are purportedly guided by theoretical models of health behavior (change) and activate an associated set of behavior change techniques (BCTs). The efficacy and effectiveness of these interventions appear to be limited, however, raising questions about their design and adaptation for women in midlife. Several aspects of these interventions are currently unclear. Specifically, which women they target (i.e., how “midlife” and “sedentary” or “inactive” are defined), which theoretical models or behavior BCTs are used, and how BCTs are activated in such interventions. A synthesis of this information would be useful as an initial step toward improving physical activity interventions for this at-risk group, and thus, represented the goal of the present scoping review. Eligibility required publication in a peer-reviewed journal in English between 2000 and 2021, inclusion of only women in midlife who did not have any medical or other restrictions on their physical activity (e.g., cancer diagnosis), and free-living physical activity or sedentary behavior as the target outcome (with associated assessment). Of the 4,410 initial results, 51 articles met inclusion criteria, and these described 36 unique interventions. More than half of the articles (59%) named an underlying theoretical model and interventions included an average of 3.76 identifiable BCTs (range 1–11). However, descriptions of many interventions were limited and did not provide enough detail to determine whether or how specific BCTs were activated. Interventions also used a wide range of inclusion criteria for age range and starting activity level, which has implications for targeting/tailoring and effectiveness, and many interventions focused on marginalized populations (e.g., women from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds, those un- or under-insured). The present review identifies some strengths and highlights important limitations of existing literature, as well as key opportunities for advancing the design and potential utility of physical activity interventions for women in midlife.

Associations of fruit & vegetable intake and physical activity with poor self-rated health among Chinese older adults

BACKGROUND

Despite the existing literature highlights the central roles of sociodemographic factors, fruit & vegetable (F&V) intake, and physical activities for maintaining good health, less is known about the associations in the Chinese context. This study attempted to explore the associations of servings of F&V intake and levels of physical activities with poor self-rated health (SRH) among Chinese older adults.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health-China (SAGE-China) issued by the World Health Organization and included 7560 respondents aged ≥60 years in China. After screening out the potential confounding factors, multiple logistic regression models were adopted to explore the associations of sociodemographic factors, servings of F&V intake, and levels of physical activities with poor SRH.

RESULTS

Among the sample, nearly a quarter reported poor health status. There were significant gender differences in the case of servings of F&V intake and levels of physical activities. Logistic regressions indicated that higher fruit intake was associated with lower likelihood of vigorous level of physical activity as compared to zero intake. Likewise, higher vegetable intake (≥10 servings) was associated with a higher likelihood of vigorous & moderate level of physical activity when compared to lower intake (≤ 4 servings). Higher fruit intake was associated with a lower likelihood of poor SRH. Similarly, vegetable intake (5 servings: AOR = 0.69, 95%CI: 0.58-0.83; 6-9 servings: AOR = 0.72, 95%CI: 0.59-0.87) was significantly associated with poor SRH. Additionally, vigorous level of physical activity (AOR = 0.79, 95%CI: 0.65-0.97) and vigorous fitness/leisure (AOR = 0.57, 95%CI: 0.39-0.84) were significantly associated with poor SRH.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that older adults with high fruit intake had lower probability of performing vigorous & moderate level of physical activity, while those with high vegetable intake had higher probability of performing vigorous & moderate level of physical activity. Likewise, the older adults with high F&V intake and higher probability of performing vigorous level of physical activity, walk/bike activity, and vigorous/moderate fitness/leisure had less likelihood to face the risk for poor SRH outcomes. The appropriate servings of F&V intake and levels of physical activity should be highlighted.