Short- and long-term theory-based predictors of physical activity in women who participated in a weight-management program

A Wasserkampf; M N Silva; I C Santos; E V Carraça; J J M Meis; S P J Kremers; P J Teixeira

doi:10.1093/her/cyu060

Short- and long-term theory-based predictors of physical activity in women who participated in a weight-management program

Health Educ Res. 2014 Dec;29(6):941-52. doi: 10.1093/her/cyu060. Epub 2014 Oct 1.

Authors

A Wasserkampf¹, M N Silva², I C Santos², E V Carraça², J J M Meis², S P J Kremers², P J Teixeira³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health and Social Psychology, Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany, Department of Health Promotion, NUTRIM School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center +, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands and CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, Cruz Quebrada, 1495-688 Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal Department of Health and Social Psychology, Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany, Department of Health Promotion, NUTRIM School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center +, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands and CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, Cruz Quebrada, 1495-688 Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal.
² Department of Health and Social Psychology, Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany, Department of Health Promotion, NUTRIM School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center +, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands and CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, Cruz Quebrada, 1495-688 Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal.
³ Department of Health and Social Psychology, Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany, Department of Health Promotion, NUTRIM School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center +, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands and CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, Cruz Quebrada, 1495-688 Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal pteixeira@fmh.ulisboa.pt.

PMID: 25274719
DOI: 10.1093/her/cyu060

Abstract

This study analyzed psychosocial predictors of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and evaluated their associations with short- and long-term moderate plus vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and lifestyle physical activity (PA) outcomes in women who underwent a weight-management program. 221 participants (age 37.6 ± 7.02 years) completed a 12-month SDT-based lifestyle intervention and were followed-up for 24 months. Multiple linear regression analyses tested associations between psychosocial variables and self-reported short- and long-term PA outcomes. Regression analyses showed that control constructs of both theories were significant determinants of short- and long-term MVPA, whereas affective and self-determination variables were strong predictors of short- and long-term lifestyle PA. Regarding short-term prediction models, TPB constructs were stronger in predicting MVPA, whereas SDT was more effective in predicting lifestyle PA. For long-term models, both forms of PA were better predicted by SDT in comparison to TPB. These results highlight the importance of comparing health behavior theories to identify the mechanisms involved in the behavior change process. Control and competence constructs are crucial during early adoption of structured PA behaviors, whereas affective and intrinsic sources of motivation are more involved in incidental types of PA, particularly in relation to behavioral maintenance.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Curriculum
Exercise / psychology*
Female
Health Behavior*
Humans
Life Style
Longitudinal Studies
Motivation
Obesity / prevention & control*
Overweight / prevention & control*
Personal Autonomy*
Psychometrics
Treatment Outcome