“I Am Very, Very Proud of Myself”: Improving Youth Activity Levels Using Self-Determination Theory in Program Development

Judy B Springer

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2013.00046

Abstract

Many adolescents are not meeting recommended levels for physical activity. Increasing physical activity among urban African American youth is both a challenge and a public health priority. Most research in community-based interventions has taken a didactic approach, focusing on skill and knowledge development alone, with inconclusive results. This 10-week progressive activity intervention with adolescents in an urban faith community introduced a self-determination theory (SDT) approach with the aim of promoting the adoption of self-management skills necessary for sustaining activity. Components of SDT included relatedness, competence, and autonomy. Together with didactics, aligning activities with participant interests, and using existing social structures for health message delivery, the approach led to high satisfaction ratings for the three components of SDT along with improved skills, knowledge, and outcomes in cardiovascular fitness. Understanding and utilizing approaches that enhance enjoyment, personal choice, confidence, and social affiliation may lead to more lasting healthy activity behaviors and attitudes than didactic approaches alone in this and other adolescent populations. The SDT is reviewed in the context of this youth intervention.

Highlights

Physical inactivity is a major public health concern in the United States that affects adolescents as well as adults
PROGRAM ENGAGEMENT Based on the multiple sources of data, we provide information and examples of the evidence we used to determine whether the participants were physically and psychologically engaged in the physical activity intervention
Through numerous observations the interest of trained lay leaders was instrumental in encouraging the youth to test out new techniques in learning the games with their peers. Youth reported that they really liked coming to the program where the leaders showed interest in their advancement, the opportunity to interact with others from their peer group, and be with supportive others. To our knowledge this is the first study to use a self-determination theory (SDT)-based intervention with middle- and high-school youth to look at the influence of program factors such as relatedness, competence, and autonomy on participant engagement in physical activity and healthy lifestyle practices

Summary

Introduction

Physical inactivity is a major public health concern in the United States that affects adolescents as well as adults. Differences in physical activity appear as a function of race, socioeconomic status, and gender [2]. These differences place children and adolescents from minority and low socioeconomic groups at risk for disparities that will affect their lifelong health and well-being; increasing physical activity is a vital health priority. African American females had the lowest levels, with 89% failing to meet physical activity guidelines [1]. The predominantly African American Amani neighborhood in which the present study was conducted has the lowest socioeconomic status in the city, with nearly half the households in poverty and headed by jobless adults [3], making it a desirable place to locate an activity intervention

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Conclusion