Abstract
BackgroundThe present paper intends to contribute to the debate on the usefulness and barriers in applying theories in diet and physical activity behavior-change interventions.DiscussionSince behavior theory is a reflection of the compiled evidence of behavior research, theory is the only foothold we have for the development of behavioral nutrition and physical activity interventions. Application of theory should improve the effectiveness of interventions. However, some of the theories we use lack a strong empirical foundation, and the available theories are not always used in the most effective way. Furthermore, many of the commonly-used theories provide at best information on what needs to be changed to promote healthy behavior, but not on how changes can be induced. Finally, many theories explain behavioral intentions or motivation rather well, but are less well-suited to explaining or predicting actual behavior or behavior change.For more effective interventions, behavior change theory needs to be further developed in stronger research designs and such change-theory should especially focus on how to promote action rather than mere motivation. Since voluntary behavior change requires motivation, ability as well as the opportunity to change, further development of behavior change theory should incorporate environmental change strategies.ConclusionIntervention Mapping may help to further improve the application of theories in nutrition and physical activity behavior change.
Highlights
The present paper intends to contribute to the debate on the usefulness and barriers in applying theories in diet and physical activity behavior-change interventions
Is there "nothing more practical than a good theory" in improving behavioral nutrition and physical activity interventions? And which theories are good enough to help us improve the practice of encouraging people to adopt healthier diets and physical activity patterns? The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (IJBNPA) recognized the importance of this issue and encouraged a 'theory debate' [1]
In the present contribution to the theory debate, we argue that it is still very necessary to further improve the process that guides which theories are applied in behavior change interventions, how these theories are applied, as well as to further improve and integrate existing theories
Summary
Behavior and behavior change Theories that are used to inform nutrition and PA behavior-change interventions, are often theories primarily meant to understand, i.e., to explain or predict, behaviors [11]. Another possible approach to contribute to bridging the intention – behavior gap is to try to accomplish environmental changes; to increase the actual opportunities for healthy nutrition and PA behaviors and/or to reduce the opportunities for unhealthy behaviors It has, for example, repeatedly been argued that an environment that offers and encourages plenty of opportunities to eat palatable energy-dense foods and to avoid physical activity may make it extremely difficult for people to act on their positive intentions to prevent weight gain [32,33,34,35]. For example, repeatedly been argued that an environment that offers and encourages plenty of opportunities to eat palatable energy-dense foods and to avoid physical activity may make it extremely difficult for people to act on their positive intentions to prevent weight gain [32,33,34,35] These interventions have mostly tried to apply individual behavioral theories to increase people's awareness, motivation, abilities and confidence to face such an environment. IM has adopted this integrative (i.e. multi-level) problemdriven approach to explore mediators of behavior change and to identify potential behavior change strategies [10,16]
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