Predicting Childhood Obesity Prevention Behaviors Using Social Cognitive Theory

Abstract

Four commonly suggested public health strategies to combat childhood obesity are limiting television viewing, encouraging daily physical activity, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, and increasing water consumption. This study examined the extent to which selected social cognitive theory constructs can predict these four behaviors in upper elementary children. A 52-item valid and reliable scale was administered to 159 fifth graders. Minutes of physical activity was predicted by self-efficacy to exercise and number of times taught at school (R2 = 0.072). Hours of TV watching were predicted by number of times taught about healthy eating at school and self-control through goal setting (R2 = 0.055). Glasses of water consumed were predicted by expectations for drinking water (R2 = 0.091). Servings of fruits and vegetables consumed were predicted by self-efficacy of eating fruits and vegetables (R2 = 0.137). Social cognitive theory offers a practically useful framework for designing primary prevention interventions to reduce childhood obesity.

E-KINDEX: A Dietary Screening Tool to Assess Children's Obesogenic Dietary Habits

“…Moreover, evidence from intervention studies supports the notion that psychological and behavioral aspects of food consumption may be of more importance in obesity management than actual diet composition [20,22,23].…”

“…Cognitive schemas are fundamental in the development and shaping of children's dietary preferences, choices, and behaviors, and are significant in the development of obesity [21,23].…”

The Impact of a Healthy Media Use Intervention on Sleep in Preschool Children

“…[17][18][19][22][23][24][25] The intervention framework was based on social cognitive theory [26][27][28][29] and sought to increase parental outcome expectations and self-efficacy around making healthy media choices for the child, with a specific emphasis on replacing violent or age-inappropriate content with age-appropriate educational or prosocial content.…”

A social cognitive approach to tackle inactivity and obesity in young Australians

“…Sedentary behavior includes TV viewing, films (video or DVD), computers, video/computer game usage, cinema and more recently, mobile electronics which includes personal digital media organizers and mobile phones (Caroli et al, 2004;Marshall et al, 2004;Sharma et al, 2006;Olds et al, 2006;Nelsen Net Ratings, 2005). Other sedentary behaviors include travelling in motorized transport, occupational inactivity, reading, homework, sitting and talking to friends, using the telephone, cognitive hobbies and listening to music Marshall et al, 2002;Hardy et al, 2006;IPAQ, 2005).…”

“…Over the past thirty years SCT has emerged as a predominant theory for understanding human behavior (Sharma, 2005;Bandura, 2004;Netz and Raviv, 2004;Sharma et al, 2006). Social cognitive theory defines human behavior within a triadic, dynamic and reciprocal interaction of personal factors, behavior, and the environment where a human's cognitive processes are influenced by their perceived self-efficacy, perceived outcomes, perceived expectancy of outcome within the context of their personal goals, morals and standards, which in turn mediates how and if behaviors will be performed (Bandura, 1986).…”