Physical Activity Status in with Overweight and Women Obesity: an Application of Social-Ecological Model (SEM)

Introduction: Studies reveal the reduction of physical activity in most countries particularly in developing countries and women. Therefore the present study was aimed to test the physical activity of overweigh and obese women who attended to a private nutrition clinic using social-ecological model in Gorgan city. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 200 women with overweight and obesity who attended to private nutrition clinic using convenient sampling method. To collect data, three part questionnaire was used including demographic characteristic, international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), and constructs of social-ecological model (perceived benefits and barriers, perceived self-efficacy and perceived support). Descriptive methods (mean and standard deviation) and inferential tests such as one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and tukey tests were carried out. Results: The mean score of physical activity of women per week was 2057.29 ± 1027.3 MET- Minute. Constructs such as perceived benefits (p=0.039), self-efficacy (p=0.047) and environment (p=0.031) were effective factors in the moderate physical activity. While, in the severe physical activity, friends support (p=0.017) was also remarkable factors such as aforementioned factors. Conclusion: Designing, implementation and evaluation of interventions focusing on effective constructs such as self-efficacy, perceived benefits, environment, and friends support as well as awareness-raising interventions may improve physical activity of obese and overweight women.

Keywords:

Obesity , Physical activity , Women , Social Ecological Model.