Physical activity attitudes, intentions and behaviour among 18-25 year olds: a mixed method study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Health Promotion

Background:

• Young adults (18-25 years) are a vulnerable demographic for weight gain and obesity.
• Physical activity (PA) is crucial for managing weight but is poorly understood in this age group.
• This age group is challenging to reach with health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore physical activity (PA) behavior in 18-25 year olds.
• To identify influential factors including attitudes, motivators, and barriers to PA.
• To understand the unique perspectives of young adults on health behaviors.

Main Methods:

• An explanatory mixed-methods study design utilizing health behavior change theories.
• Quantitative phase: 1313 self-reported questionnaires (Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Cognitive Theory).
• Qualitative phase: Seven focus groups analyzed using Framework Analysis.

Main Results:

• Only 28% of 18-25 year olds met recommended PA levels; this decreased with age.
• Positive attitudes towards PA predicted activity, but intention did not correlate with behavior.
• Young adults prioritized enjoyment, appearance, and feeling good over 'winning' or 'pleasing others'; traditional health messages were ineffective.

Conclusions:

• 18-25 year olds exhibit low PA levels and are difficult to engage.
• Interventions must incorporate enjoyment, appearance, and feeling good to resonate with this demographic.
• Targeted interventions focusing on intrinsic motivators are needed to improve and sustain PA.