Determinants of participation in a health education and exercise program on television

The daily television program 'the Netherlands on the Move' (NOM-tv), which primarily targets people aged over 55 (estimated Dutch 55+ population: 4 million), was designed as part of a national campaign for promoting physical activity. The aim of the study was to identify the determinants of exercise participation and viewing NOM-tv.

The method used was baseline test by quota digit dialing in the country (n = 988, stratified age 35+ and 55+), and follow-up after 7 months (n = 362). The main outcome measures are: intention and actual participation in exercises. The determinants are: attitude, social influences, self-efficacy, age, sex, education, knowledge about the health effects of exercise, habits, stage of change in exercising, and perceived barriers. The backgrounds were: marital status, living situation, mental health and vitality.

NOM-tv attracted at least 21% of the physically non-active people at baseline to viewing and increased knowledge. The best predictors of intention to participate were: attitude, social influences, self-efficacy, age and gender. Actual participation was best predicted by age (higher), gender (female), intention, knowledge, and the (lower) number of perceived barriers.

NOM-tv is a successful (high number of viewers) and relatively cheap way of getting inactive, older people-especially women-to exercise.