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Understanding physical activity behavior in children: integrating the theory of planned behaviour with the stages of

changeC. Nigg1, & E. Foertner2

1University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA2University of Karlsruhe, Germany

The purpose of the study was to integrate the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the stages of change from the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), in order to attempt to understand physical activity (PA) in children. Specifically, the TPB structure was investigated within each stage of the TTM to give directions concerning the behavior change process. 533 participants (grades 3-6, 48% females) who were part of 12 sites partaking in the Fun 5 pilot program (12% of the participants were in grade 3, 43% in grade 4, 29% in grade 5, and 15% in grade 6 with 5 participants not reporting grade). Attitude and social norms predicted intention and intention along with self-efficacy predicted physical activity in precontemplation. Attitude and social norms predicted intention and intention predicted physical activity in contemplation. Attitude and social norms predicted intention and self-efficacy predicted physical activity in preparation. Attitude, social norms and self-efficacy predicted intention and intention predicted physical activity in action. Attitude, social norms and self-efficacy predicted intention and intention predicted physical activity in maintenance. The results showed that the stages are not as different as expected for our sample of children. The social norms variable stayed important through the stages. Self-efficacy, although significant, was quite a weak predictor of both intention and physical activity. Intention did not explain physical activity well; there seems to be an intention-physical activity gap.

The role of the environment in children’s physical activity: where’s the theory?J. Spence1

1Alberta University, Canada

Currently, more than 25% of Canadian children are overweight or obese. This trend is disturbing because of the link between obesity and premature chronic disease development and increased risk of becoming obese as adults. Many Canadian children are not sufficiently active enough to experience the beneficial effects of physical activity. Such findings have lead public health organizations to call for more effective approaches to prevention of obesity. The standard preventive approach of trying to change the food habits and physical activity practices of children has proved to be efficacious in the short-term but not very effective over the long-term. As a result, calls have been made for a broader multi-level approach to prevention that addresses policy and environmental factors that facilitate such behaviours. The aim of this presentation is to discuss the potential application of ecological models such as the Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model to help frame interventions and programs for promoting physical activity among children and adolescents.

SCT constructs as mediators of change in children’s physical activityJ. Salmon1, M. Chin A Paw2, C. Hume1, K. Ball1 & D. Crawford1

1School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University2VUMC, Netherlands

The use of theory for identifying mediators of intervention effects is important for informing the development of more effective and efficient intervention programs. Social cognitive theory has frequently been applied to the development of interventions to promote children’s physical activity. Constructs such as self-efficacy, beliefs, enjoyment and social support have been targeted as potential mediators of behaviour change among children. This presentation will use data from the Switch-Play intervention study to illustrate whether these psychosocial variables mediated the effects of the intervention on children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviours. The potential utility of targeting other mediators, the importance of considering moderating effects on the intervention, and the need for methodological research to develop and assess valid and reliable measures of the mediators of behaviour change will be discussed.

Discussion: behaviour theories, can’t live with them, can’t live without themJ. Brug1*1EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Centre

Since behaviour theory is a reflection of the compiled evidence of behaviour research, theory is the only foothold we have for the development of behaviour change interventions. However, some of the theories we use, such as the Transtheoretical model lack a strong empirical foundation for key health behaviours. Furthermore, many of the commonly-used theories provide at best information on what needs to be changed to promote healthy behaviour, but not on how changes can be induced. Finally, many theories, including the Theory of Planned Behaviour help to explain behavioural intentions or motivation rather well, but fail to predict actual behaviour or behaviour change. In order to help develop effective public health interventions and policies, behaviour change theory needs to be further developed by systematic research on mediators and moderators of change in experimental designs. Since voluntary behaviour change requires motivation, ability as well as the opportunity to change, further development of behaviour change theory should incorporate physical and social environmental factors.

Adopting and implementing 10,000 Steps: Case studies from the Australian communityK. Joyner1*, A. Hinchliffe1 & K. Mummery1

1Central Queensland University

The 10,000 Steps program originally began in Rockhampton, Australia in 2001 as a “whole of community” health promotion physical activity project. Since 2004, the 10,000 Steps program has extended its reach nationally and now disseminates physical activity information, resources, materials and support via its interactive website. The resources are disseminated at two levels: to individuals users (>35,000 members of the general public) and to registered providers (>1300 health professionals, workplaces and communities). The current paper focuses on the uptake, adoption and implementation of the 10,000 Steps program by the registered 10,000 Steps providers. A series of case studies will be presented that highlight the objectives, strategies, outcomes and lessons learnt during the providers’ implementation of 10,000 Steps initiatives. The results from this research emphasize the manner in which workplaces and communities adopt and tailor the 10,000 Steps resources to suit their individual objectives. This study shows that a physical activity health promotion program can be effectively disseminated using internet-based support in a variety of settings. It also highlights the benefits of disseminating a flexible program that can be tailored to suit the specific audience.

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