Abstract
BackgroundThe Transtheoretical Model (TTM) is a successful framework for guiding behavior change programs for several health behaviors, yet its application to reduce of sedentary behavior has been neglected. In addition, no data exist regarding the association between determinants of sedentary behaviors based on the TTM and physical activity behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate college students’ stages of motivational readiness to avoid sedentary behaviors and relevant psychological determinants using newly developed TTM questionnaires and to identify the association between current physical activity and sedentary behaviors based on TTM constructs.MethodsData were obtained from 225 college students enrolled in health education and physical education courses. Participants completed a package of questionnaires including validated TTM, physical activity and sitting time questionnaires. Participants also wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days. MANOVAs were conducted to determine mean differences in psychological constructs across the TTM stages, and Chi-square tests and Spearman correlation were used to evaluate the associations between current physical activity and sedentary behavior.ResultsA majority of the participants were in the sedentary stages, and men and women differed in proportion of individuals in the stages (78.0% vs. 68.1%, respectively). The gender difference was also found in use of the processes of change. In general, the mean scores of the TTM constructs increased as the stages progressed. No significant associations were found between the TTM constructs for sedentary behavior and current physical activity levels (p>0.05).ConclusionsA high proportion of college students were in sedentary stages regardless of physical activity levels, but different distributions in men and women. Participants in earlier stages were less likely to utilize the TTM constructs to reduce sedentary behaviors than those in later stages. A lack of association between physical activity and the psychological determinants of sedentary behavior was found.
Highlights
In addition to various health benefits of physical activity, consistent evidence has been presented of the possible deleterious health consequences of prolonged sitting time independent of current physical activity level [1,2,3]
The mean scores of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) constructs increased as the stages progressed
No significant associations were found between the TTM constructs for sedentary behavior and current physical activity levels (p>0.05)
Summary
In addition to various health benefits of physical activity, consistent evidence has been presented of the possible deleterious health consequences of prolonged sitting time independent of current physical activity level [1,2,3]. Physical activity is a behavior that involves human movement, resulting in physiological attributes including increased energy expenditure and improved physical fitness [6], and an individual can achieve the minimal physical activity recommendation for substantial health benefits with engagement in 150 min a week (i.e., preferably, spread throughout the week) of moderate-intensity physical activity [7] In this perspective, an active individual (e.g., meeting the physical activity guidelines) can be mostly sedentary in the remaining exercise time of the day, and sedentary behavior is distinct from lack of physical activity [8]. It is used to provide strategies to guide the individual to change the behavior through stages of motivational readiness [9] This model has been effectively applied to various health behaviors such as smoking, alcohol use, substance abuse, and physical activity [10,11,12,13]. The purpose of this study was to investigate college students’ stages of motivational readiness to avoid sedentary behaviors and relevant psychological determinants using newly developed TTM questionnaires and to identify the association between current physical activity and sedentary behaviors based on TTM constructs
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