Physical Activity and Social-Ecological Model

Studies reveal the reduction of physical activity in most countries particularly in developing countries and women. Therefore, the present study was aimed to test the physical activity of overweigh and obese women who attended to a private nutrition clinic using social-ecological model in Gorgan city.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 200 women with overweight and obesity who attended to private nutrition clinic using convenient sampling method. To collect data, a three-part questionnaire was used including demographic characteristic, international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), and constructs of social-ecological model (perceived benefits and barriers, perceived self-efficacy and perceived support). Descriptive methods (mean and standard deviation) and inferential tests such as one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and tukey tests were carried out.

The mean score of physical activity of women per week was 2057.29 ± 1027.3 MET- Minute. Constructs such as perceived benefits (p=0.039), self-efficacy (p=0.047) and environment (p=0.031) were effective factors in the moderate physical activity. While, in the severe physical activity, friends support (p=0.017) was also remarkable factors such as aforementioned factors.

Improving people's self-efficacy status and also providing individuals access to a safe environment to perform physical activities can be useful and beneficial in order to improve model constructs including perceived barriers and physical environment.