A STRUCTURAL EQUATION ANALYSIS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG JAPANESE ADULTS
- VernacularTitle:日本人成人の身体活動に影響を及ぼす心理的，社会的，環境的要因の共分散構造分析
- Author:
KOICHIRO OKA
;
KAORI ISHII
;
AI SHIBATA
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Built environment;
Self-efficacy;
Social support;
Pros and cons;
Ecological model
- From:Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine
2011;60(1):89-97
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Background Psychological, social, and environmental factors are important determinants for physical activity promotion. There are numerous studies of the direct effects of these factors on physical activity. However, only a few studies have been examined the direct and mediated effects of these factors on physical activity.Purpose The purpose of the present study was to examine the direct and indirect influences of psychological, social, and environmental factors on physical activity among Japanese adults.Methods An internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted to 2,000 Japanese adults aged 20-79 years. Seven sociodemographic attributes (e. g., gender, age, and marital status), self-efficacy, pros and cons, social support for exercise and environmental variables (home fitness equipment, access to facilities, neighborhood safety, aesthetics, seeing others exercising) were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. The physical activity was estimated from the Japanese version of the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling by gender.Results The respondents' mean (SD) age was 43.6(13.0). Environmental factors had indirect effects on physical activity through self-efficacy, social support and pros and cons. On both gender, the strongest indirect effects was the path of environmental factors on physical activity through pros to self-efficacy. The total effects of environmental factors on physical activity were 0.06 of males and 0.04 of females.Conclusion The results indicate that environmental factors had indirect effects on physical activity through psychological and social factors among Japanese adults. These results could contribute to the development of physical activity promotion strategies in Japan.
