Vicarious Experience in Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) Is Associated with Greater Odds of Attaining the Recommended Leisure-Time Physical Activity Levels

Jacob K Kariuki; Bethany B Gibbs; Bonny Rockette-Wagner; Jessica Cheng; Lora E Burke; Kirk I Erickson; Christopher E Kline; Dara D Mendez; Susan M Sereika

doi:10.1007/s12529-020-09947-9

Vicarious Experience in Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) Is Associated with Greater Odds of Attaining the Recommended Leisure-Time Physical Activity Levels

Int J Behav Med. 2021 Oct;28(5):575-582. doi: 10.1007/s12529-020-09947-9. Epub 2021 Jan 12.

Authors

Jacob K Kariuki¹, Bethany B Gibbs², Bonny Rockette-Wagner³, Jessica Cheng³, Lora E Burke⁴, Kirk I Erickson⁵, Christopher E Kline², Dara D Mendez³, Susan M Sereika⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, 3500 Victoria Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA. kigok@pitt.edu.
² School of Education, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
³ Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
⁴ School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, 3500 Victoria Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
⁵ Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

PMID: 33438163
DOI: 10.1007/s12529-020-09947-9

Abstract

Background: Social cognitive theory posits that observing similar others succeed (i.e., vicarious experience) can improve self-efficacy. However, there are very limited data on the utility of vicarious experience in promoting physical activity (PA). This analysis examined the association between vicarious experience and leisure-time PA (LTPA) in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of MESA participants who completed exam 5. LTPA and neighborhood factors were self-reported. Neighborhood factors were converted into aesthetic, walking, and safety scores. Group comparative analyses evaluated differences in variables of interest. The relationship between vicarious experience and recommended LTPA (≥ 7.5 MET-h/week) was assessed via logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported.

Results: Participants (N = 4579) were older (69.7 ± 9.4 years), 53% female, 41% Caucasian, 26% Black, 21% Hispanic, and 12% Chinese. Those who reported vicarious experience had 45% (95% CI 1.16-1.81) greater odds of attaining recommended LTPA. Unfavorable walking score was associated with lower odds of attaining recommended LTPA (OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.79-1.00). The aesthetic and safety scales were not associated with LTPA (OR = 1.00 [95% CI 0.89-1.13] and OR = 0.91 [95% CI 0.82-1.10], respectively).

Conclusions: Programs exposing community-dwelling adults to peers engaging in PA could provide an effective public health approach to increase community-level PA participation.