Why are adult women physically active? A systematic review of prospective cohort studies to identify intrapersonal, social environmental and physical environmental determinants

S A Prince; J L Reed; N Martinello; K B Adamo; J G Fodor; S Hiremath; E A Kristjansson; K A Mullen; K A Nerenberg; H E Tulloch; R D Reid

doi:10.1111/obr.12432

Why are adult women physically active? A systematic review of prospective cohort studies to identify intrapersonal, social environmental and physical environmental determinants

Obes Rev. 2016 Oct;17(10):919-44. doi: 10.1111/obr.12432. Epub 2016 Jul 28.

Authors

S A Prince¹, J L Reed², N Martinello^{2

3}, K B Adamo^{4

5

6}, J G Fodor², S Hiremath⁷, E A Kristjansson⁸, K A Mullen², K A Nerenberg⁹, H E Tulloch², R D Reid²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada. sprinceware@ottawaheart.ca.
² Division of Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
³ Population Health PhD Program, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
⁴ School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
⁵ Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
⁶ Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
⁷ Division of Nephrology, The Ottawa Hospital, Riverside Campus, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
⁸ School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
⁹ Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.

PMID: 27465602
DOI: 10.1111/obr.12432

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to systematically review available evidence from prospective cohort studies to identify intrapersonal, social environmental and physical environmental determinants of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) among working-age women.

Methods: Six databases were searched to identify all prospective cohort studies that reported on intrapersonal (e.g. self-efficacy and socioeconomic status [SES]), social (e.g. crime, area SES and social support) and/or physical (e.g. weather, work and recreation) environmental determinants of MVPA in working-age (mean 18-65 years) women. A qualitative synthesis including harvest plots was completed.

Prospero: CRD42014009750 RESULTS: Searching identified 17,387 potential articles; 97 were used in the analysis. The majority (n = 87 studies) reported on ≥1 intrapersonal determinant. Very few (n = 34) examined factors in the social or physical environments, and none looked at social policy. Positive and consistent influencers included higher self-efficacy (n = 18/23), self-rated health (n = 8/13) and intentions (n = 10/11) and perceived behavioural control (n = 5/7) to be physically active. Having children in the household was negatively related to MVPA (n = 9/15).

Conclusions: Physical activity intervention studies should consider a woman's level of self-efficacy and perceived behavioural control to be physically active. Additional studies are needed on the impact of children in the household, having a spouse/partner and using group goal setting. More evidence is needed to evaluate the impact of environmental factors.

Keywords: Determinants; physical activity; systematic review; women.

Publication types

Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Exercise / psychology*
Female
Health Behavior*
Health Surveys
Humans
Interpersonal Relations*
Leisure Activities / psychology*
Prospective Studies
Self Efficacy*
Social Class
Social Environment*

Grants and funding

CIHR/Canada