Changing Physical Activity Behaviour:the social-ecological model

Key Knowledge addressed:- Components of the social-ecological models

(individual, social environment, physical environment and policy)

- The relationship between the multiple levels of influences and physical activity

- A range of individual and population-based physical activity strategies

GLOSSARY TERMS

Self-efficacy Settings-based approach Processes of change Reciprocal causation Built environment Social-ecological model Sedentary Behaviour Inactivity

Chapter Preview

Mediators for Behaviour Change A mediator is the mechanism through which the

intervention (strategy) is believed to influence physical activity behaviour.

Self-efficacy – confidence in your ability to be active within specific circumstances (for example, even when you are tired)

Self-efficacy can be improved if a person is taught strategies to remind themselves to be more active.

The improvement in these mediators combined might lead to a greater chance of behavioural change occurring.

Assessing Behavioural Change p 41

Physical Activity Promotion

Intervention programs are designed to target changes and implement strategies within four domains:

Individual (Intrapersonal) Social environment (Interpersonal) Physical Environment Policy

Strategies used to Promote PA undertaken at individual and population levels

Individual Level Population Level

Print and web-based media

Environmental Change

Counselling Policy

Processes of Change Mass media

Individual Approaches to Physical Activity Promotion These approaches focus on the individual

making a change to their activity behaviour by focusing on biological, cognitive and behavioural factors.

Print and web-based media Counselling Processes of Change – complete pg 46-8

and answer questions

Print and web-based media

• Booklets, brochures, handouts and books.• Printed materials are available from:

– Community based recreation centres, fitness and weight control centres

– Health care providers. E.g GP’s, rehab centres (physio, osteo, chiro), hospitals and chemists

– Schools and work place settings.• Web-based media reaches thousands of

people and can be updated at a minimal cost. A limitation is the novelty of visiting a website wears off quickly.

Counselling

Professional that provide counselling include: Physio’s , personal trainers, fitness instructors GP’s, psychologists, osteo’s.

Advice can be delivered In person Telephone Automated telephone delivered message

Key strategies used when counselling

1. Assessing motivational readiness2. Matching processes of change with

motivational readiness3. Indentifying opportunities to be active4. Contracting (goal setting and signed by

professional and client)5. Enlisting in social support6. Reminder systems7. Gradual Programming (increasing

frequency and duration)8. Tailoring (programs to meet needs)

Strategies used in Counselling cont...

Processes of Change – the types of strategy employed to encourage changes in Physical activity levels. Pg 45

Complete Process of Change Questionnaire P. 46-48

Questions

1. Complete the following questions:2. Warm-up – 2, 3, 53. Training – 1, 6, 7, 10

HOMEWORK

Complete “Keeping a Diary of Physical Activity” pg 50

Population-based approaches to Physical Activity Promotion

• Environmental Strategies and Tailoring – Removing Impediments to activity and Introducing new resources and facilities. – Educational Programs– Environmental and policy targets for physical

activity interventions• Natural environment• Constructed (built) environment• Policies related to incentives• Policies related to resources and infrastructure

– Refer to page 53-54 table 2.5

• Policy – Legislation, Organisational Policies• Mass media – TV, radio broadcasts, billboards,

posters, commercials at cinemas, magazines, newspapers, web-based.

The Roles of Mass Media Promotion• Increasing awareness of PA as a public

health issue• Providing information about health

benefits of regular PA• Information on the consequences of

inactivity• Increasing interest of community-based

programs• Motivating individuals to take action

towards PA participation

Theoretical Models of PA Behaviour• Reciprocal Causation – the interaction

between the individual and the environment.

• Ecological models of PA reinforce the interplay of demographic, psychological, social and environmental variables

• Social –ecological models of PA are characterised by multiple levels of influence on behaviour and on environmental and policy influences.

Social–ecological model of influences on Physical Activity

ACTIVITY

Read Social-ecological model introduction pg 57-60.

Read Notes handout and place examples of influences under each of the appropriate levels.

Social-Ecological model of Physical Activity

Why do we need a model to explain PA participation Models are used to provide a framework

to understand the numerous factors and behaviours that enable or act as barriers to PA participation

In the context of PA, the term intervention is used to describe a strategy, program or policy that is designed to have an impact on PA participation.

Why use the social-ecological model?• The social-ecological model helps to identify

opportunities to promote participation in PA by recognising the multiple factors that influence an individual behaviour. Efforts to change behaviour are more likely to be successful when the multiple levels of influence are addressed at the same time.

• Ecology – refers to the interrelationships between organisms and their environments.

Components of the social –ecological model

• Individual• Social Environment• Physical Environment• Policy

• Innermost level represent individual, which is surrounded by social environment (family, friends). Social environment is surrounded by the physical environment including geography, community facilities and workplace, which is inturn embedded within the policy environment of different levels of government or governing bodies. All levels of the model impact on the behaviour of the individual.

Complete the following table watching the powerpointIndividual Social

environmentPhysical Environment

Policy

Write some examples that influence

Write examples of possible intervention strategies that can be used for this level.

Individual

• Centre of the social-ecological model. • Personal factors that increase or decrease the

likelihood of an individual being physically active. • Individual factors which influence PA participation

include;– Knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, beliefs, perceived

barriers, motivation, enjoyment skills (basic motor skills and sports specific), abilities, disabilities or injuries

– Age– Sex– Level of education– Socioeconomic status– Employment status– Self-efficacy

– knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and skills are focussed on to bring about change.

Individual cont....

• Intervention strategies at an individual level might include;

• Educational programs (e.g. step class or Pilates program

• Support groups (e.g. Walking groups)• Organisational incentives directed at

individuals (subsidised gym memberships for staff who go to the gym once a week)

• Counselling• Mass media

Social Environment

Comprises the relationships, the culture and the society with whom the individual interacts.

Supportive behaviours from; Family, such as the influence of parental and sibling

physical activity levels and family support. Spouse or partner Peers Institutions and organisations e.g. Schools, workplace,

community organisations Access to social support networks versus social isolation Influence of health and other professionals e.g. Doctors,

teachers, coaches Community norms Cultural background Socioeconomic status of the community.

Social cont...

• Examples of supportive behaviour include; sharing transport to an activity, encouraging someone to be active, offering to be active with someone or helping to pay fees.

• Strategies which will bring change include community education, support groups, peer programs, workplace incentives and social marketing campaigns.

Physical Environment

• Natural environment and the built (man-made) environment• Physical environment is likely to influence the amount and

type of activity. This influence can be positive or negative. • Examples of physical environment

– Natural features such as trees, water, grasslands and wildlife, weather or geography

– Man-made features or built environment - Availability and access to facilities such as parks, playgrounds, sporting grounds, gyms, walking or cycling tracks.

– Aesthetics or perceived qualities of facilities or natural environment.

– Safety such as crime rates or amount and speed of traffic– Community design such connectivity of streets, density of housing

or land use.– Public transport

– Strategies focusing on the physical environment usually should be put in place before educational or community awareness initiatives are attempted.

– READ “Poor planning leaves kids parked inside”

Physical cont......

• Intervention strategies include;• Access to appropriate environments. E.g.

Ramps or smooth surfaces for wheelchair access

• Recreational or sporting facilities being built near schools, shopping centres or aged care facility to ensure they are accessible to specific target groups.

• Traffic calming to increase safety for pedestrians around school areas to get more children to walk and ride their bike to school.

Organisational and Policy Change• Legislation, regulatory or policy making actions that have the

potential to affect PA.• Formal legal actions taken by local, state or federal

governments but also can be informal policies or rules in setting such as schools or workplaces.

• Examples of organisational settings include; day care facilities, kindergartens, schools, universities and workplaces.

• Policy includes;– Urban planning policies– Active transport policies– Education policies such as mandating time for physical education

classes– Health policies– Environmental policies– Workplace polices– Funding policies

Organisational intervention strategies• Creating incentives (if they participate, they

receive subsidises)• Changes to staff benefits (subsidise gym

membership)• Making changes to the structure of the working day

(e.g. Extended lunch to participate in an activity program

• Promoting staff group activities (walk to work teams

• Time off to participate in corporate PA competitions• Creating links with health-enhancing organisations

(e.g. Discount memberships at leisure centres or golf course)

Policy intervention strategies• Incentives for activity or inactivity (examples listed

in organisational strategies)• State policy – mandated time in secondary schools

for physical education. ( Since 1990’s all students in Years 7-10 must receive 100 minutes of physical education and 100 minutes of sport education per week)

• State law – 40km/hr speed zones around schools to increase safety of pedestrians and cyclists

• Local policies within a school setting – certain year levels to play in certain areas of the school yard.

Questions

Complete the following question – Peak Performance

Warm-up – 7, 9, 10 Training -1, 2, 4 Game on – 1, 4

Multiple choice – all without text book

Written Report

Complete Activity “Applying social-ecological models” pg 63-4. Walking school bus –

http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb Find 30 Every Day –

http://findthirtyeveryday.com.au Jump Rope for Heart –

http://heartfoundation.org.au/jumpropeforheart/pages/default.aspx/

Ride to work – http://ride2work.com.au Or any others with approval from teacher.

Review Questions

Complete Chap 2 Review Questions pg 70-71.

Prac Activity – if time

Identifying Environmental Modifications pg 54