Application of Social Cognitive Theory in Obesity Prevention: A Rapid Review

Abstract

Obesity, as a result of including the chronic positive energy balance, is associated with many chronic diseases. Prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, including in selected developing countries, from previous very low status. Association or causality of one or more constructs of social cognitive theory to prevent and control obesity is paramount for program interventions. We searched titles and abstracts using End Note Software and then approached original articles in databases of PubMed, Google Scholar and Health Inter-Network Access to Research Initiative (HINARI) in English . The articles included only when one or more of the constructs of social cognitive theory viz. reciprocal determinism, behavioral capability, observational learning, reinforcements, expectations and self-efficacy were examined quantitatively with obesity or overweight. The data from the articles were then summarized and interpreted. Out of 90 accessed and reviewed full-text articles, 22 included in the review, mostly of which studies were conducted in developing countries. The review results showed that intervening the constructs of social cognitive theory was found effective in preventing obesities including childhood obesities. In studies where media campaign was added with social cognitive theory, logistic regression results demonstrated that behavior change was greater among women. Self-efficacy and social support are the important constructs of social cognitive/learning theory to be effective and associated in obesity prevention, others remaining modest. It is suggested that the constructs are integrated with media campaign and ecological components when intervened.

A systematic review of interventions to increase breakfast consumption: a socio-cognitive perspective

“…Reported theory use was low, but strategies targeting SCT constructs were commonly used in many interventions. Prior research (72,73) has shown the use of one or more SCT constructs in healthy eating interventions is mostly effective (72,73) . Moreover, a review on the effectiveness of two or more healthy behavioural approaches saw a small but significant benefit when controlling both diet and physical activity compared with one behavioural approach (74) .…”

Happy Family, Healthy Kids

“…These results support the effectiveness of applying the SCT to design healthy lifestyle behavior promotion and obesity prevention programs. To address the limited effects that SCT-based obesity prevention programs have had on preventing and treating obesity in adolescents, SCT constructs may need to be integrated with ecological components to achieve greater effects (Chiranjivi et al, 2018). Aligned with this contention, the Happy Family, Healthy Kids program incorporated the ecological perspective of intrapersonal (preschoolers), interpersonal (parents), and environmental (day care, home) influence into the program to increase the effects.…”

The Impact of Health Coaching on Weight and Physical Activity in Obese Adults: A Randomized Control Trial

“…Relatedly, increased friend support correlated with greater %EWL. This is consistent with previous work showing that theory is critical to help investigators explain intervention effects on weight loss and PA. 44,45 A HC intervention, such as the one implemented in this study, attempts to enhance aspects of behavior related to the social and the cognitive domain. The findings of Jimison et al 46 indicate that HC improves social interactions and ratings of social satisfaction while decreasing loneliness.…”