THE SOCIAL ECOLOGICAL APPROACH TO UNDERSTAND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ADHERENCE

Abstract

The preliminary study examined the applicability of the social ecological (SE) approach to assess physical activity (PA) adherence in midlife women. SE theory integrates person-focused efforts to modify personal health behavior with environment-focused interventions to enhance physical and social surroundings. This approach may be an appropriate way to look at PA adherence / participation. Women volunteers were recruited from various worksites to complete a Likert-type questionnaire that elicited one's perception about various social / ecological factors that might influence PA. 39 middle-aged (48 ± 6 yr), Caucasian (85%) women returned completed questionnaires. Level of satisfaction with community recreational opportunities was significantly correlated (r = .36, P = .025) to the amount of recreational activity reported. 36% reported little or no satisfaction with their community recreational opportunities. 44% of the women indicated that they compromised their physical activity for others, but spouse's lifestyle habits, number of children or level of friend's support did not significantly correlate to reported PA. Finally, women who reported having made changes in their lifestyle following an adverse health diagnosis were significantly more likely to report higher levels of aerobic activity (r = 0.67, P < .003). These preliminary data suggest that both environment-focused as well as person-focused factors influence PA habits in midlife women. Thus, the SE approach is recommended as a useful model for beginning to understand the complex situational factors that may facilitate or hinder PA habits. Funding: Arizona State University Women's Studies Summer Research Awards Program