Physical activity is something that some people strive to complete every day, yet it is also something that people lack the energy for. In the United States overweight and obesity in both girls and boys is reaching epidemic proportions (Sharmer Wagner & Wilkerson, 2006). Similar to any other habit in life, it is hard to lose the weight and become healthier when all you’ve known as a child is unhealthy eating habits and the lack of activity. The social ecological model of health has been effective in helping describe the ways in which an individuals environment can be contributing to their lifestyle choices. Silveira and Motl (2018) defines the social ecological model as a way to contextualize multiple, interrelated layers of physical, social, and individual barriers as determinants of health and health behaviours.
One study Silveira and Motl (2018) completed examined the built environment, social environment and individual environment and its effect on physical activity in MS patients. The social ecological theory was interrelated with the social cognitive theory and used to determine what will have the most beneficial effect on adults when attempting to increase leisurely physical activity. Silveira and Motl (2018) defined the social cognitive theory as an appropriate behaviour change theory for understanding physical activity among populations, in specific MS patients, with one central tenant being the interaction between person, environment and behaviour.
The results showed that in order to increase physical activity, the interventions need to target multiple layers of influence based on the social ecological theory and be guided by the social cognitive theory. Meaning that it needs to be a multi-level approach that focuses on an individuals self-efficacy (Silveira & Motl, 2018). For example an approach may include but is not limited to; introductory activities in which participants identify a social environment variable that influences their physical activity and how to either utilize positive aspects of their social environment or overcome negative aspects (Silveira & Motl, 2018).
The social ecological model can also be used as a framework to help understand the importance of the dynamic interrelations between a person and their environment, as well as the context within which they exist (Boulton et. Al, 2018). In a recent study by Boulton et. Al (2018) the influence of physical activity engagement at multiple levels was considered in order to develop a social ecological model to promote physical activity in older adults. As shown in Figure 1, there are many levels to the model and reaching an individual on majority of these levels will increase the want for physical activity.
Figure 1. Social Ecological Model for promoting physical activity amongst older adults (Boulton et. Al, 2018)
Although the many levels of the social ecological model of health, the social cognitive theory can be correlated to help better understand the physical activity and obesity rates in the world today. As described by Sharmer, Wagner and Wilkerson (2006) the social cognitive theory offers a useful framework for explaining and promoting physical activity. It has become one of the most widely adopted theoretical frameworks for understanding and optimizing physical activity behaviour (Uszynski, 2018). It can be characterized by four constructs: self-efficacy, outcome expectations, goal setting, and barriers and facilitators.
Focusing in on self-efficacy, which is described as one’s ability to influence one’s habit, expectations about expected costs and benefits for different health habits, and self-control or goals that a person sets for himself or herself (Sharmer, Wanger & Wilkerson, 2006). This factor of the social cognitive model can play a significant role in changing the attitudes and behaviours young children have on physical activity. In a study by Sharmer, Wagner and Wilkerson (2006), it was found that the implication of more health education programs in upper elementary children are needed to promote more physical activity, television should be limited to two hours per day, and water consumption needs to be increased to eight glasses per day along with the increase of healthier foods into their diets.
Self efficacy is the belief that one can successfully cope with challenging conditions (Uszynski, 2018), therefore if an individual has the confidence to take part in physical activity and the challenges of it, they are more likely to partake in the activities. In a study completed in patients with MS (multiple sclerosis) self efficacy was significantly correlated with physical activity (Uszynski, 2018). In terms of the interventions for physical activity, they need to be reachable and achievable in a way that allows individuals to feel happy, confident, and successful during the duration of the physical activity. Uszynski (2018) added other social cognitive constructs such as goal setting, exercise planning, and exercise benefits, and although they increased the value of R-squared, there was no significance.
With obesity and physical activity or lack of, being such a concern in our world today, the social ecological model of health and social cognitive theory can create and suggest solutions to target a large and diverse population. Adolescents concerned about their weight, and particularly adolescent girls, often adopt unhealthy dieting and weight control, behaviours (Neumark-Sztainer et al., 2008). In order to find interventions and lifestyles that will be healthy and beneficial individuals need to be convinced that it will work, they need to feel happiness in the process, and they need to be fully educated on why and what is happening to their bodies. (Neumark-Sztainer et al., 2008). Figure 2 shows components and solutions that could develop into a healthy plan to promote physical activity and a healthy life.
Figure 2. Development of social ecological development plan.
Finally, to fully understand the way the social cognitive theory works and how it is theoretically related to the overall social ecological model of health, here is a timeline video of where the theory comes from and how it has been adapted to be useful in todays day.
Resources
Boulton, E. R., Horne, M., & Todd, C. (2018). Multiple influences on participating in physical activity in older age: Developing a social ecological approach. Health Expectations, 21(1), 239-248. doi:10.1111/hex.12608
Neumark-Sztainer, D., Flattum, C., Story, M., Feldman, S., & Petrich, C. (2008). Dietary approaches to healthy weight management for adolescents: The New Moves model.Division of Epidemiology and Community Health,19(3). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24025308.
Sharma, M., Wagner, D., & Wilkerson, J. (2006). Predicting Childhood Obesity Prevention Behaviors Using Social Cognitive Theory.Int’l. Quarterly of Community Health Education,24(3), 191-203. doi:10.2190/CPVX-075A-L30Q-2PVM
Silveira, S. L., & Motl, R. W. (2019). Environmental correlates of health-promoting leisure physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis using a social cognitive perspective embedded within social ecological model. Preventive Medicine Reports, 15, 100921. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2019.100921
Uszynski, M. K., Casey, B., Hayes, S., Gallagher, S., Purtill, H., Motl, R. W., & Coote, S. (2018). Social Cognitive Theory Correlates of Physical Activity in Inactive Adults with Multiple Sclerosis. International Journal of MS Care, 20(3), 129-135. doi:10.7224/1537-2073.2016-111
Comments