Environmental, psychological, and social influences on physical activity among Japanese adults: structural equation modeling analysis

Abstract

BackgroundAn understanding of the contributing factors to be considered when examining how individuals engage in physical activity is important for promoting population-based physical activity. The environment influences long-term effects on population-based health behaviors. Personal variables, such as self-efficacy and social support, can act as mediators of the predictive relationship between the environment and physical activity. The present study examines the direct and indirect effects of environmental, psychological, and social factors on walking, moderate-intensity activity excluding walking, and vigorous-intensity activity among Japanese adults.MethodsThe participants included 1,928 Japanese adults aged 20-79 years. Seven sociodemographic attributes (e.g., gender, age, education level, employment status), psychological variables (self-efficacy, pros, and cons), social variables (social support), environmental variables (home fitness equipment, access to facilities, neighborhood safety, aesthetic sensibilities, and frequency of observing others exercising), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were assessed via an Internet-based survey. Structural equation modeling was conducted to determine associations between environmental, psychological, and social factors with physical activity.ResultsEnvironmental factors could be seen to have indirect effects on physical activity through their influence on psychological and social variables such as self-efficacy, pros and cons, and social support. The strongest indirect effects could be observed by examining the consequences of environmental factors on physical activity through cons to self-efficacy. The total effects of environmental factors on physical activity were 0.02 on walking, 0.02 on moderate-intensity activity excluding walking, and 0.05 on vigorous-intensity activity.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that environmental factors had indirect effects on walking, moderate-intensity activity excluding walking and vigorous-intensity activity among Japanese adults, especially through the effects on these factors of self-efficacy, social support, and pros and cons. The findings of the present study imply that intervention strategies to promote more engagement in physical activity for population-based health promotion may be necessary.

Effect of an intervention based on socio-ecological model in promoting physical activity of female employees

“…Previous studies have shown that the rate of daily steps in employees increased after the intervention, just like the present study [27,37,38]. However, the findings of the current research are inconsistent with those of a study conducted at Catalan University [39].…”

“…The results showed that the physical environment had only indirect influence on the physical activity through the social and mental factors but the personal and social factors affected the physical activity, directly and indirectly. This study claimed that the intervention strategies must be used to optimize the physical activity [27]. Bakhtari et al, through investigating the effective factors on the physical activity of women working at Tabriz University showed that the personal factors had direct influence and the social had both direct and indirect (through individual factors) influence on the physical activity.…”

Intermediary Effects for Adults’ Physical Activity: Comparison of two Structural Models

“…In line with this, adults with past pa experience in school have maintained high pa levels (7). With regard to ese that is an important concept of the social Cognitive theory, has been proven that one's belief in his/her ability to persist in exercising had a crucial role in the promotion of pa participation (7,8). In particular, it has been found that ese had the highest positive effect on pa than various other psychosocial and environmental variables (8).…”

“…These findings have led to an increased scientific interest in investigating factors that predict adults' participation in pa (5,6). recent studies have indicated that participation in past pa (6,7) and exercise self-efficacy (ese) (7,8) were important positive predictors of pa. specifically, participation in pa at the ages of 10-19 and 40-64 years old has predicted the maintenance of a high level of pa in old age (6). In line with this, adults with past pa experience in school have maintained high pa levels (7).…”

Evaluación de la relación de actividad física autorreportada con el síndrome metabólico y sus componentes en mujeres aparentemente sanas

“…The questionnaire psychometric properties, as well as its validity and reproducibility, are applicable for prevalence studies based on national populations (14,15). Currently, the IPAQ is broadly known as the most objective way of estimating physical activity level (16)(17)(18). The assessment of physical aptitude has been considered relevant for health status because physical activity is a protection factor in relation to the development of chronic non-transmissible diseases, mainly coronary disease and metabolic syndrome (19).…”