Psychosocial predictors of changes in physical activity in overweight sedentary adults following counseling in primary care

Background, Increasing regular physical activity in adults at elevated risk of cardiovascular disease is an important target for preventive medicine, This study evaluated demographic, social and cognitive predictors of self-r eported changes in physical activity after 4 and 12 months in a randomized trial of behavioral counseling in primary care, Method. Data were analyzed from 234 male and 271 female sedentary patients with a body mass index of 25-35 (age 49.1 years, SD 11.2 years), who had be en counseled by nurses in general practice using stage-matched behavioral m ethods or standard health promotion and who were reassessed after 4 months. A total of 187 men and 231 women were reassessed after 12 months. Results, Physical activity at baseline was associated with educational stat us, having a partner who exercised, perceived barriers, and self efficacy. Changes over 4 months were greater with behavioral counseling, in non-smoke rs and in patients with higher ratings of motivation to change and self-eff icacy at baseline, Changes over 12 months were greater with behavioral coun seling and were predicted in the behavioral group by social support variabl es, perceived benefits, and barriers, Stage of readiness to change predicte d increased activity at 4 but not 12 months. Conclusions, Social support and cognitive variables predict increased physi cal activity following counseling in primary care of sedentary overweight a dults. Different factors are relevant to short- and long-term modifications in behavior, (C) 2000 American Health Foundation and Academic Press.