Explaining the Role of Personal, Social and Physical Environment Factors on Employed Women's Physical Activity: A Structural Equation Analysis

Abstract

Background and Objectives:PA is a multi-factorial behavior that is affected by interpersonal, intra personal, environmental and social factors. In this study we applied explanatory model to determine the total, indirect and direct impact of physical environment, personal factors and social support on PA among employed women.Methods:This study was a correlational cross-sectional study which was conducted to model total, indirect and direct impact of environmental, psychological and social factors on PA. A total of 200 women were chosen from Tabriz University by using convenience sampling method. Data about demographic characteristics, psychological variables, social and physical environment were gathered by using self-reported questionnaire and also the PA was measured by using the International PA Questionnaire and pedometer.Results:personal factors, physical and social environment, showed direct effects on PA. Social factors could be seen to have indirect effects on PA through their influence on personal factors such as pros, cons and self-efficacy; also physical environment had indirect effects on PA through social environment. The total effects of physical and social environment on PA type were respectively 0.17, 0.16 on walking, 0.05, 0.07 on moderate activity and 0.15, 0.18 on vigorous activity.Conclusions:Findings from this study indicated that social factors had indirect effects on walking, moderate and vigorous activity, especially through the effects on these factors of self-efficacy, physical environment, pros and cons, and the interactive role of individual, environmental and social impacts on PA. The current study identifies that psychological, physical and social factors could be shown to have direct and indirect influences on all forms of activity. The barriers of PA were the most predictor of this behavior, and based on results, it can be concluded that decreasing the barriers along with improving social and physical environment can lead to increasing PA and health promotion.

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

“…Social environment questionnaire developed by Sallis and colleagues was applied in order to measure the perceived social support related to the physical activity [30] in which 5 items measure the support provided by friends and coworkers during the past 3 months using a 5-point Likert scale (never to always). To assess the physical environment, Mojahed and colleagues' 8-item questionnaire in 2010 having subscales of availability to facilities, and environmental security and beauty was applied using a 5-point Likert scale [3]. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) includes 27 items in 4 subscales to measure the physical activity under 4 various situations: at workplace, during leisure times, during commute, and at home.…”

“…This can be put into belt or pocket showing the step count and distance walked in mile or kilometer. Researchers have shown that pedometer is a reliable and valid instrument [3,7]. Based on the data obtained by a pedometer, participantc are classified into three categorize based on the number of steps per day: people walking little than 7499 walks a day are considered as immobile ones, while those having 7500-9999 walks a day are moderately active and those who take more than 10000 walks a day are active people [38].…”

“…Due to importance of the regular physical activity in creating and maintaining the health, this behavior has been listed as one of the 15 priorities to change the health recovery behavior. Furthermore, scientific observations have shown that the physical activity can be very influential in health in all ages [2][3][4]. According to results of 27 meta-analysis conducted by the world health organization, regular physical activity can be very effective in reducing 35-55% of cardiac infarction cases and it can also decrease the rate of mortality.…”

“…Eighty percent of the participants had light physical activity, 50% had moderate physical activity, and 32% had intense physical activity. Women employing in occupations such as offices and office-based affairs as well as boring jobs did not have enough physical activities; therefore, the mental and spiritual affairs should be also allocated in this pavement [3]. Regarding the importance of physical activity, perception of factors which encourage people to participate in this activity is important to promote populationbased physical activity.…”

“…Moreover, a continuous need for improving motivations for doing physical activities and experiencing new interventions is observed. Due to special cultural context, advances in technology, and changes in work patterns, which have affected the behavior of individuals at worksite, at home, and in community, the level of physical activity has reduced in Iran [3]. Since the role of physical activities has been proven in preventing diseases like cardiovascular diseases, reducing stress and anxiety, and increasing self-confidence and cooperation spirit, interventions based on social-ecological model help identifying effective factors in physical activities behaviors, and explaining human and environment´s interaction by analyzing the levels and effective factors in these behaviors.…”