Individual, Interpersonal, and Organizational Factors Affecting Physical Activity of School Adolescents in Pakistan

The purpose of this study was to explore individual, interpersonal, and organizational factors that may influence the physical activity of adolescents (ages 10–14) in Pakistani schools. A set of questionnaires that included individual, interpersonal, and organizational factors and PA behavior was completed by the 618 students selected from Pakistani schools. Stepwise forward regression model was applied to check the possible effects of multilevel variables on physical activity and to extract the stronger predictors. The results showed that physical activity was significantly predicted by individual level factors such as self-efficacy, motivation, and attitude. Among the demographic correlates, gender, age, and BMI did not affect physical activity, while socioeconomic status and geographic characteristics had a meaningful association with PA. At the interpersonal level, adolescents’ perception of family support had a potential influence on physical activity, while there was no impact of friends/peers and teachers support on adolescents’ PA. A school environmental characteristic, such as PA facility, was positively related to PA; however, the impact of PA equipment, safety, and policy and PA culture were statistically non-significant. The findings suggest that public health intervention strategies aimed at promoting PA in adolescents should recognize multiple levels of influences that may either enhance or impede the likelihood of PA among adolescents.

Physical activity determinants among students based on Pender’s health promotion model constructs: a cross-sectional study using path analysis

Background:

Over recent years, new lifestyles have raised ongoing concerns about the quality of life of students, especially inactivity. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with regular physical activity among students using Pender’s health promotion model.

Methods:

The present cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on 650 students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, who were selected by stratified sampling with probability proportional to size. Data were collected using a three-part questionnaire, including demographic profile, Pender’s health promotion model constructs and the international physical activity questionnaire. The strongest determinants of physical activity were identified using structural equation modeling by Amos software. Data were analysed by SPSS software (16) using chi-square, one-way analysis of variance and Spearman correlation.

Results:

The results showed walking activity in 69.1%, moderate activity in 3.8% and vigorous activity in 27.1%. According to path analysis, perceived barriers were the most efficient predictor of physical activity among students, and Pender’s health promotion model constructs explained 84.9% of physical activity changes.

Conclusion:

The satisfactory predictive value of Pender’s health promotion model constructs for physical activity behaviour focused on effective structures, such as perceived barriers, supports the application of this model to design educational interventions better.

A model of environmental correlates of adolescent obesity in the United States

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to test a conceptual model of proximal (home) and distal (neighborhood) environmental correlates of adolescent obesity.

METHODS

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, using the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, of 39,542 children aged 11-17 years. Structural equation modeling was used to test the fit of the model, identify direct and indirect effects of the proximal and distal environmental correlates, and determine reliabilities for latent constructs (Access to Physical Activity, Neighborhood Conditions, Social Capital Home Sedentary Behavior, and Physical Activity).

RESULTS

The model fitted the data well (Root Mean Square Standard Error of Approximation: .038 (90% confidence interval .038-.039), Comparative Fit Index: .950, and Tucker-Lewis Index: .934). Access to Physical Activity, Social Capital, Home Sedentary Behavior, and Physical Activity had direct effects on obesity (-.026, p = .001; .061, p < .001; .110, p < .001; and -.119, p < .001, respectively). Neighborhood Condition had indirect effects on obesity through Access to Physical Activity, Social Capital, and Home Sedentary Behavior (-.001, p = .009; .032, p < .001; and .044, p < .001, respectively). Access to Physical Activity had indirect effects on obesity through Physical Activity, Social Capital, and Home Sedentary Behavior (-.013, p < .001; -.005, p < .001; and -.005, p = .003, respectively). Home Sedentary Behavior had indirect effect on obesity through Physical Activity (.052, p <.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this model fit to the U. S. population-based data suggest that interventions should target not only sedentary behavior and physical activity but also parent perceptions of safety, access to physical activity, and the neighborhood condition.