Public Health Nutrition Research Group, Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Polwarth Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.
BMC Public Health. 2012 Aug 10;12:640. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-640.
Young people (18-25 years) during the adolescence/adulthood transition are vulnerable to weight gain and notoriously hard to reach. Despite increased levels of overweight/obesity in this age group, physical activity behaviour, a major contributor to obesity, is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to explore physical activity (PA) behaviour among 18-25 year olds with influential factors including attitudes, motivators and barriers.
An explanatory mixed method study design, based on health Behaviour Change Theories was used. Those at university/college and in the community, including those Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) were included. An initial self reported quantitative questionnaire survey underpinned by the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Social Cognitive Theory was conducted. 1313 questionnaires were analysed. Results from this were incorporated into a qualitative phase also grounded in these theories. Seven focus groups were conducted among similar young people, varying in education and socioeconomic status. Exploratory univariate analysis was followed by multi staged modelling to analyse the quantitative data. 'Framework Analysis' was used to analyse the focus groups.
Only 28% of 18-25 year olds achieved recommended levels of PA which decreased with age. Self-reported overweight/obesity prevalence was 22%, increasing with age, particularly in males. Based on the statistical modelling, positive attitudes toward PA were strong predictors of physical activity associated with being physically active and less sedentary. However, strong intentions to do exercise, was not associated with actual behaviour. Interactive discussions through focus groups unravelled attitudes and barriers influencing PA behaviour. Doing PA to feel good and to enjoy themselves was more important for young people than the common assumptions of 'winning' and 'pleasing others'. Further this age group saw traditional health promotion messages as 'empty' and 'fear of their future health' was not a motivating factor to change current behaviour.
18-25 year olds are a difficult group to reach and have low levels of PA. Factors such as, 'enjoyment', 'appearance 'and 'feeling good' were deemed important by this specific age group. A targeted intervention incorporating these crucial elements should be developed to improve and sustain PA levels.
年轻人（18-25 岁）在青春期到成年期的过渡阶段容易体重增加，而且很难接触到。尽管这个年龄段的超重/肥胖率有所上升，但对主要导致肥胖的身体活动行为却知之甚少。本研究的目的是探讨 18-25 岁年轻人的身体活动（PA）行为，包括态度、动机和障碍等影响因素。
本研究采用基于健康行为改变理论的解释性混合方法设计。研究对象包括在校大学生和社区青年，包括未接受教育、就业或培训（NEET）的青年。首先进行了一项基于计划行为理论和社会认知理论的自我报告式定量问卷调查。共分析了 1313 份问卷。问卷调查结果被纳入以这些理论为基础的定性阶段。在不同教育和社会经济地位的相似年轻人中进行了 7 个焦点小组。在定量数据分析中，首先进行了探索性单变量分析，然后进行了多阶段建模。使用“框架分析”对焦点小组进行分析。
只有 28%的 18-25 岁年轻人达到了推荐的身体活动水平，且随着年龄的增长而降低。自我报告的超重/肥胖患病率为 22%，随着年龄的增长而增加，尤其是男性。基于统计建模，对 PA 的积极态度是与积极运动和减少久坐相关的身体活动的强烈预测因素。然而，强烈的锻炼意向与实际行为并不相关。通过焦点小组的互动讨论，揭示了影响 PA 行为的态度和障碍。对年轻人来说，通过做 PA 来感觉良好和享受自己的乐趣比“获胜”和“取悦他人”等常见假设更为重要。此外，这个年龄段的人认为传统的健康促进信息是“空洞”的，对未来健康的担忧并不是改变当前行为的一个激励因素。
18-25 岁的年轻人很难接触到，身体活动水平较低。对于这个特定年龄段的人来说，像“享受”、“外表”和“感觉良好”等因素被认为是重要的。应该制定一项针对这些关键因素的有针对性的干预措施，以提高和维持身体活动水平。
