How well do cognitive and environmental variables predict active commuting?

Mélanie Lemieux,Gaston Godin

doi:10.1186/1479-5868-6-12

Abstract

BackgroundIn recent years, there has been growing interest in theoretical studies integrating cognitions and environmental variables in the prediction of behaviour related to the obesity epidemic. This is the approach adopted in the present study in reference to the theory of planned behaviour. More precisely, the aim of this study was to determine the contribution of cognitive and environmental variables in the prediction of active commuting to get to and from work or school.MethodsA prospective study was carried out with 130 undergraduate and graduate students (93 females; 37 males). Environmental, cognitive and socio-demographic variables were evaluated at baseline by questionnaire. Two weeks later, active commuting (walking/bicycling) to get to and from work or school was self-reported by questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to predict intention and behaviour.ResultsThe model predicting behaviour based on cognitive variables explained more variance than the model based on environmental variables (37.4% versus 26.8%; Z = 3.86, p < 0.001). Combining cognitive and environmental variables with socio-demographic variables to predict behaviour yielded a final model explaining 41.1% (p < 0.001) of the variance. The significant determinants were intention, habit and age. Concerning intention, the same procedure yielded a final model explaining 78.2% (p < 0.001) of the variance, with perceived behavioural control, attitude and habit being the significant determinants.ConclusionThe results showed that cognitive variables play a more important role than environmental variables in predicting and explaining active commuting. When environmental variables were significant, they were mediated by cognitive variables. Therefore, individual cognitions should remain one of the main focuses of interventions promoting active commuting among undergraduate and graduate students.

Highlights

In recent years, there has been growing interest in theoretical studies integrating cognitions and environmental variables in the prediction of behaviour related to the obesity epidemic
The purpose of this study was to gain information on the determinants of active commuting in order to guide promotional campaigns. This was accomplished in reference of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) since this theory has proven efficient in predicting healthrelated behaviours [6,7]
The final model for the cognitive variables explained 78.2% of the variance of intention (p < 0.001), with significant determinants being perceived behavioural control (PBC) (β = 0.43, p < 0.001), attitude (β = 0.17, p < 0.05) and habit (β = 0.37, p < 0.001)

Summary

Introduction

There has been growing interest in theoretical studies integrating cognitions and environmental variables in the prediction of behaviour related to the obesity epidemic. This is the approach adopted in the present study in reference to the theory of planned behaviour. The purpose of this study was to gain information on the determinants of active commuting in order to guide promotional campaigns. This was accomplished in reference of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) since this theory has proven efficient in predicting healthrelated behaviours [6,7]. The advantage of this theory is that it allows testing of the contribution made by other variables, such as environmental variables, in the prediction of behaviour either as direct determinants or as moderators of the intention-behaviour relationship [8]

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Conclusion