Exploring Maternal and Children Perspectives Towards Healthy Eating and Active Living in Lebanon: A Qualitative Study

Abstract Objectives To explore the perspectives and experiences of children and their mothers towards healthy eating habits and regular physical activity in Lebanon and to identify potential strategies that can be recommended for future interventions to promote healthy lifestyles among children. Methods Qualitative research methodology and the social cognitive theory were used. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted with children (aged 10–11 years) and their mothers, respectively, from two private and one public schools in Beirut, Lebanon. Thematic inductive analytical approach was adopted. Results A total of six FGDs and 11 in-depth interviews with mothers were conducted from February till November 2020. Four main overarching themes emerged. Theme 1 pertained to the different views of children and mothers regarding the meaning of healthy eating and physical activity and their perceived impact on children's wellbeing. Theme 2 revealed a set of intrapersonal, social, and environmental determinants, which were reported differently between children and their mothers. Participants in our study who were interviewed after the COVID-19 pandemic talked about how their eating habits were adversely affected as a result of the sudden changes in daily schedules, boredom and anxiety. Theme 3 reflected the role of schools and sports facilities in setting a good example for children's healthy eating and active behaviors. Theme 4 revolved around participants’ suggestions to receive support for healthy eating and lifestyle habits at multiple levels, including intrapersonal, family/social, community, and policy-level strategies. Our findings highlight the importance of using theory-driven interventions, such as the social cognitive theory, to improve long-term health behaviors. Conclusions Findings highlight the multiple influences that pertain to children's eating and activity habits and shed light on the need to use child- and parental-driven strategies in the planning and development of programs to promote children's health and wellbeing. Funding Sources This study was partially funded by the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the American University of Beirut.

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Eating habits and physical activity in working adults: a formative research

10.21203/rs.3.rs-22544/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

N Badillo-Camacho ◽

S Torres-Castro ◽

MF Bernal-Orozco ◽

NM Torres-Carrillo ◽

M Altamirano-Martínez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Cognitive Theory ◽

Fast Food ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Phenomenological Study ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Personal Factors ◽

Sugary Drinks

Abstract Background: Eating habits and physical activity are important factors for the development and prevention of non-communicable diseases. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyse the beliefs, behaviours, and experiences of dietary and physical activity habits based on the constructs of the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). Methods: An exploratory study with a qualitative methodology and a phenomenological study design was conducted using focus groups, in-depth interviews, and indirect non-participatory observation. The sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed with prior written informed consent. Data analysis was performed using a hybrid approach.Results: Workers reported that they do not eat vegetables or fruits daily; however, the consumption of fast food and sugary drinks was frequent. Participants’ behaviour is influenced by environmental factors such as reinforcements (economic bonus and company meetups & events), barriers (workplace policies) and facilitators (availability of drinking water, free tortillas , dining rooms, and recreational areas); and personal factors, such as low self-control when when choosing foods from the grains group (e.g. Mexican pastries, noodles and breads), and emotional confrontation (e.g. few workers try to use strategies to confront their emotions and avoid them from affecting their eating and physical activity). On the other hand, participants indicated not feeling capable of eating specific foods due to their taste, for example vegetables, and doing physical activity due to factors such as time. Finally, other key elements influencing workers’ behaviours were observational learning (participants eating behaviour and physical activity are influenced by their coworkers and family’s behaviours), social support (coworkers and family) and outcome expectations (participants’ hoping to improve their health by eating healthy and physical activity behaviours).Conclusions: Workers’s eating behaviour and physical activity could be modified if different influencing factors are simultaneously addressed. These findings will contribute to the development of worksite health programs, based on the SCT, to address the key factors that could improve workers’ eating behaviours and physical activity. Keywords: Eating habits, physical activity, adults, workers, workplace programs, qualitative research, Social Cognitive Theory.

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Correlates of Physical Activity in Urban African American Adults and Older Adults: Testing the Social Cognitive Theory

Annals of Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/abm/kax038 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 52 (9) ◽

pp. 743-751 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Neha P Gothe

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

African American ◽

Social Cognitive Theory ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

African American Adults ◽

The Social

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A Computational Agent Model of Influences on Physical Activity Based on the Social Cognitive Theory

Lecture Notes in Computer Science - PRIMA 2013: Principles and Practice of Multi-Agent Systems ◽

10.1007/978-3-642-44927-7_37 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 478-485 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Julia S. Mollee ◽

C. Natalie van der Wal

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Cognitive Theory ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Agent Model ◽

The Social

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Physical Activity Participation: Social Cognitive Theory versus the Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behavior

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.12.4.388 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 388-405 ◽

Cited By ~ 154

Author(s):

David A. Dzewaltowski ◽

John M. Noble ◽

Jeff M. Shaw

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Cognitive Theory ◽

Planned Behavior ◽

Perceived Control ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Reasoned Action ◽

Physical Activity Participation ◽

Activity Participation ◽

The Social

Social cognitive theory and the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior were examined in the prediction of 4 weeks of physical activity participation. The theories of reasoned action and planned behavior were supported. Attitude and perceived control predicted intention, and intention predicted physical activity participation. The social cognitive theory variables significantly predicted physical activity participation, with self-efficacy and self-evaluation of the behavior significantly contributing to the prediction. The greater the confidence in participating in physical activity and the greater the satisfaction with present physical activity, the more physical activity performed. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that perceived control and intentions did not account for any unique variation in physical activity participation over self-efficacy. Therefore the social cognitive theory constructs were better predictors of physical activity than those from the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior.

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Examining social-cognitive theory constructs as mediators of behaviour change in the active team smartphone physical activity program: a mediation analysis

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-10100-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Amelia V. Romeo ◽

Sarah M. Edney ◽

Ronald C. Plotnikoff ◽

Tim Olds ◽

Corneel Vandelanotte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Cognitive Theory ◽

Behaviour Change ◽

Mediation Analysis ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Trial Registration ◽

Theoretical Approaches ◽

The Social ◽

Objectively Measured

Abstract Background Regular engagement in physical activity has well-established physical and psychological health benefits. Despite this, over a quarter of the global adult population is insufficiently physically active. Physical activity interventions grounded in behaviour change theory, such as the social-cognitive theory, are widely considered to be more effective than non-theoretical approaches. Such interventions set out to intervene on the ultimate outcome (physical activity), but also influence intermediate factors (social-cognitive theory constructs) which in turn, are believed to influence physical activity behaviour. The primary aim of the study was to use mediation analysis to examine whether changes in the social-cognitive theory and related constructs, in particular self-efficacy, outcome expectations, intentions, barriers and goal setting, mediated the effects of a smartphone-based social networking physical activity intervention. Methods Mediation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS Macro in SPSS to (i) calculate the regression coefficients for the effect of the independent variable (group allocation) on the hypothesised mediators (social-cognitive theory constructs), (ii) calculate the regression coefficient for the effect of the hypothesised mediators (social-cognitive theory constructs) on the dependent variable (objectively measured physical activity or self-report physical activity), independent of group assignment and (iii) determine the total, direct and indirect intervention effects. Results Data from 243 participants were included in the mediation analysis. There was no evidence of mediation for change in objectively measured MVPA or self-reported MVPA. Conclusions There was no conclusive evidence that any of the social-cognitive theory constructs mediated the relationship between an app-based intervention and change in physical activity. Ongoing efforts to develop and understand components that make physical activity app-based interventions effective are recommended. Trial registration This trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12617000113358, date of registration 23 January, 2017).

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