@2024 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 2383-2150    Journal of Education and Community Health 2017;4(3):52-58

Background
Physical activity is one of the most important aspects of health promotion and one of the predictors of death and disability worldwide.
Previous Studies
... [1-11]. In the past two decades, physical activity has declined in all age groups, and according to the reports, more than 80% of the teenagers in the world have insufficient physical activity [12]. ... [13]. Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is one of the theories of changing behavior, which is used to predict and understand behavior [12] and is in fact one of the most successful perceptual frameworks in physical activity of women [14, 15]. This theory suggests that the most important determinant of behavior is the intention. The intention is the level of motivation and will of an individual to try to do behavior [16]. Behavioral intention is determined by three constructs, including the attitude toward the behavior (positive or negative evaluation of behavioral outcomes), subjective norms (perception of the important individuals’ needs) and perceived behavioral control (perception of control over behavior) [17].
Aim(s)
In this study, we aimed to investigate the factors related to intention to perform physical activity based on the theory of planned behavior among high school female students of Ahvaz city, Iran.
Research type
This descriptive research is a cross-sectional analytical study.
Research society, place and time
This study was performed on 163 high school female students randomly selected from two girls' public schools in Ahvaz, Iran, in 2016.
Sampling method and number
This research is part of an interventional study and its sample size was measured 150 subjects based on the data obtained from previous studies [18] and using the sample size formula in two-group analytical studies by Pococke [19] with a confidence level of 95% and the test power of 80%. 163 individuals were considered for sample size, due to the probable reduction in samples and in order to increase the accuracy of the research. The inclusion criteria included no physical disorder or a medical prohibition to perform physical activity and the willingness of individuals to participate in the research. Unwillingness to continue cooperation and participation in research was considered as the exclusion criterion.
Used devices&materials
To collect information in this research, a written self-reported questionnaire was used. It was completed individually and separately by students without sharing the information. The questionnaire included demographic information of the participants (age, education level, parents’ education and parents’ occupation) and the constructs of the TPB. Constructs of the TPB included positive attitude toward physical activity (9 questions), subjective norms toward physical activity (6 questions), behavioral control (4 questions) and behavioral intention (4 questions). The data obtained from questionnaires entered into SPSS 23 software. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation test were used for statistical analysis and to determine the relationship between intention to do physical activity and the constructs of the TPB. In order to determine the predictive power of the constructs, linear regression test was used at a significant level of less than 0.05.
Findings by Text
The mean age of the participants in the study was 13.79±0.89 years and the age range was 12 to 16 years. Based on the results, 37.4% of the students were studying at the eighth grade, 63.2% of their mothers and 62% of their fathers were had diploma and above degrees and 54% had fathers with non-governmental jobs and 89% of the mothers were housewives. Details of students' demographic characteristics are presented in Table 1. According to the results of independent t-test and one way ANOVA, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean of physical activity intention between parents’ education and job (P>0.05). The mean, standard deviation and correlation matrix of the TPB constructs are presented in Table 2. According to the findings, there was a positive and significant correlation between intention to do physical activity and attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control, among which attitude had the highest correlation with behavioral intention (r=0.6, p<0.001). A significant model was obtained in linear regression model (Enter) to predict physical activity using constructs of the TPB (F=35.18, P<0.001, R2=0.4). Based on the results, attitude (P=0.001, β=0.46) and behavioral control (P=0.03, β=0.15) significantly predicted the intention to perform physical activity. In this model, the structures of the TPB constructs predicted 40% of the variance of intention to perform physical activity (Table 3).
Main comparison to the similar studies
Wang et al. evaluated the application of TPB in predicting children's physical activity and showed that TPB predicts 33% of the variance of intention to perform physical activity [20]. In the Duncan et al. study also attitude and behavioral control predicted 25% of physical activity intention variance [21]. In this study, the attitude was the strongest predictor of physical activity. In the study by Plotnikoff et al., attitude also was the strongest construct of the TPB in predicting the intention to perform activities [22]. ... [23-27]. Some other studies have reported different results from the findings of this study. For example, Mahbubi Ghazaani et al. [28] evaluated the predictive factors for the exclusive intention of breastfeeding in pregnant women by the TPB and reported that perceived behavioral control was the strongest and attitude was the second predictor of exclusive breastfeeding. ... [29, 30].
Suggestions
Designing educational interventions using TPB and paying more attention to the attitude construct as the strongest predictor of behavioral intention are recommended.
Limitations
The time limit for student participation in research to complete questionnaires was one of the limitations of this research.
Conclusions
We recommend using the TPB and paying more attention to the attitude construct, as the strongest predictor of intention, in designing educational interventions to promote physical activity among female students.
Acknowledgments
The authors are thankful to the Deputy of Education of the Khuzestan Education Department, District 3 Education Department of Ahvaz, principals, officials and students of the high schools for girls who have fully cooperated in this research.
Conflict of interest
None declared.
Ethical Permissions
Prior the research, its objectives and stages were explained to the participants and the written informed consent was obtained.
Funding Sources

TABLES and CHARTS

Show attach file Background
Physical activity is one of the most important aspects of health promotion and one of the predictors of death and disability worldwide.
Previous Studies
... [1-11]. In the past two decades, physical activity has declined in all age groups, and according to the reports, more than 80% of the teenagers in the world have insufficient physical activity [12]. ... [13]. Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is one of the theories of changing behavior, which is used to predict and understand behavior [12] and is in fact one of the most successful perceptual frameworks in physical activity of women [14, 15]. This theory suggests that the most important determinant of behavior is the intention. The intention is the level of motivation and will of an individual to try to do behavior [16]. Behavioral intention is determined by three constructs, including the attitude toward the behavior (positive or negative evaluation of behavioral outcomes), subjective norms (perception of the important individuals’ needs) and perceived behavioral control (perception of control over behavior) [17].
Aim(s)
In this study, we aimed to investigate the factors related to intention to perform physical activity based on the theory of planned behavior among high school female students of Ahvaz city, Iran.
Research type
This descriptive research is a cross-sectional analytical study.
Research society, place and time
This study was performed on 163 high school female students randomly selected from two girls' public schools in Ahvaz, Iran, in 2016.
Sampling method and number
This research is part of an interventional study and its sample size was measured 150 subjects based on the data obtained from previous studies [18] and using the sample size formula in two-group analytical studies by Pococke [19] with a confidence level of 95% and the test power of 80%. 163 individuals were considered for sample size, due to the probable reduction in samples and in order to increase the accuracy of the research. The inclusion criteria included no physical disorder or a medical prohibition to perform physical activity and the willingness of individuals to participate in the research. Unwillingness to continue cooperation and participation in research was considered as the exclusion criterion.
Used devices&materials
To collect information in this research, a written self-reported questionnaire was used. It was completed individually and separately by students without sharing the information. The questionnaire included demographic information of the participants (age, education level, parents’ education and parents’ occupation) and the constructs of the TPB. Constructs of the TPB included positive attitude toward physical activity (9 questions), subjective norms toward physical activity (6 questions), behavioral control (4 questions) and behavioral intention (4 questions). The data obtained from questionnaires entered into SPSS 23 software. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation test were used for statistical analysis and to determine the relationship between intention to do physical activity and the constructs of the TPB. In order to determine the predictive power of the constructs, linear regression test was used at a significant level of less than 0.05.
Findings by Text
The mean age of the participants in the study was 13.79±0.89 years and the age range was 12 to 16 years. Based on the results, 37.4% of the students were studying at the eighth grade, 63.2% of their mothers and 62% of their fathers were had diploma and above degrees and 54% had fathers with non-governmental jobs and 89% of the mothers were housewives. Details of students' demographic characteristics are presented in Table 1. According to the results of independent t-test and one way ANOVA, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean of physical activity intention between parents’ education and job (P>0.05). The mean, standard deviation and correlation matrix of the TPB constructs are presented in Table 2. According to the findings, there was a positive and significant correlation between intention to do physical activity and attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control, among which attitude had the highest correlation with behavioral intention (r=0.6, p<0.001). A significant model was obtained in linear regression model (Enter) to predict physical activity using constructs of the TPB (F=35.18, P<0.001, R2=0.4). Based on the results, attitude (P=0.001, β=0.46) and behavioral control (P=0.03, β=0.15) significantly predicted the intention to perform physical activity. In this model, the structures of the TPB constructs predicted 40% of the variance of intention to perform physical activity (Table 3).
Main comparison to the similar studies

Suggestions

Limitations

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

Conflict of interest

Ethical Permissions

Funding Sources