What moves young people? Applying the risk perception attitude framework to physical activity behavior and cardiometabolic risk

Authors

Melissa A. Napolitano, Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC, USA.
Ashley Hogan Tjaden, Department of Epidemiology, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC, USA.
Caitlin P. Bailey, Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC, USA.
Loretta DiPietro, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC, USA.
Rajiv Rimal, Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

4-16-2022

Journal

Translational behavioral medicine

DOI

10.1093/tbm/ibac012

Keywords

Cardiometabolic risk; Physical activity; Risk perception attitude framework; Self-efficacy

Abstract

Cardiometabolic disease risk factors, including metabolic syndrome and physical inactivity, are prevalent among young adults. However, few young adults are aware of their risk status. The risk perception attitude (RPA) framework was used to categorize participants (n = 456) enrolled in a three-arm randomized controlled weight management trial by their baseline values of cardiometabolic risk perceptions and physical activity self-efficacy. Trial recruitment occurred at two universities from 2015 to 2018 and participants were randomly assigned to one of three weight management interventions: Tailored, Targeted, Control. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were conducted to examine associations between RPA category (i.e., Responsive, Indifferent, Avoidant, Proactive) and physical activity behavior. At baseline, the Responsive group had the highest amount of physical activity (mean [95% CI]: 379.2 [332.6 to 425.8] min/week), the Indifferent group had the lowest (296.7 [261.98 to 331.32] min/week), and the Avoidant/Proactive groups showed intermediate values. Over 6 months, there was a significant interaction between RPA group and intervention arm on change in physical activity adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, baseline body mass index, and baseline moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p = .017). Among Tailored intervention participants only, the Proactive participants were the only group to have an increase in physical activity (19.97 min/week) and the Indifferent participants had the most significant decrease in physical activity (127.62 min/week). Results suggest the importance of early screening for young adults to help raise awareness of cardiometabolic risk and ultimately support them in health promotion efforts.

APA Citation

Napolitano, Melissa A.; Tjaden, Ashley Hogan; Bailey, Caitlin P.; DiPietro, Loretta; and Rimal, Rajiv, "What moves young people? Applying the risk perception attitude framework to physical activity behavior and cardiometabolic risk" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 789.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/789

Department

Prevention and Community Health