Is healthy behavior contagious: associations of social norms with physical activity and healthy eating

Background  

Social norms are theoretically hypothesized to influence health-related behaviors such as physical activity and eating behaviors. However, empirical evidence relating social norms to these behaviors, independently of other more commonly-investigated social constructs such as social support, is scarce and findings equivocal, perhaps due to limitations in the ways in which social norms have been conceptualized and assessed. This study investigated associations between clearly-defined social norms and a range of physical activity and eating behaviors amongst women, adjusting for the effects of social support.     

Paths to leisure physical activity among adults with intellectual disabilities: self-efficacy and social support

PURPOSE: This study tested a path model that included perceptions of social support and self-efficacy for leisure physical activity and leisure physical activity participation among adults with intellectual disabilities. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design was used. Data was collected via oral interview. SETTING: Community-based group, supported-living settings in one Midwestern state. SAMPLE: A total of 152 adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, which provided a 39% response rate. MEASURES: Self-efficacy and social support (from family, residential staff and peers with disabilities) for leisure physical activity were assessed using self-reported scales. Leisure physical activity participation was measured with a self-reported checklist of the frequency of leisure physical activity participation. ANALYSIS: Path analysis was conducted for the entire sample and was repeated for younger and older age groups. RESULTS: The hypothesized model fit the data from each group. Social support and self-efficacy predicted physical activity participation, and self-efficacy served as a mediator between social support and physical activity. Significant sources of social support differed between groups; among younger participants, social support from family predicted physical activity, whereas, for the older group, social support from staff and peers predicted physical activity. CONCLUSION: Self-efficacy and social support for leisure physical activity are related to leisure physical activity participation among adults with intellectual disabilities who are receiving supported-living services. The results provide information to guide health promotion programs for this group.     

The contribution of physical and social activity participation to social support and happiness among people with physical disabilities

BackgroundPrior studies have suggested that certain leisure activities provide health benefits to people with physical disabilities. Participation in social activities has been identified as a strong predictor of active coping strategies and social support from others. In addition, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) has been found to be positively associated with health perceptions and quality of life.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between social activity and LTPA to social support and life satisfaction among people with physical disabilities.MethodsData were collected from Korean Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities. A total of 351 surveys were used.ResultsResults indicated that social activity, emotional and informational support, and tangible and affectionate support were significantly associated with happiness. However, there were no direct effects of LTPA and positive social interaction support on happiness. The study results showed significant direct effects of LTPA on emotional and informational support and positive social interaction.ConclusionThis study shows that it is important for people with physical disabilities not only to participate in LTPA, but also to be provided with opportunities for social activities. In particular, the importance of social activity to Korean people with physical disabilities as a means of receiving social support and increasing happiness was confirmed. The results suggest that practitioners need to create a variety of social activity opportunities, such as online social participation programs, community-based social programs, and social events for health.     

Walking groups in socioeconomically deprived communities: A qualitative study using photo elicitation

Walking groups can benefit health but uptake is more likely amongst those who are socially well-situated and need them least. This study worked with a new walking group in a community in England with poor health and socio-economic indicators to understand non-participation and barriers to involvement. It used a qualitative approach. Participant generated photographs captured the physical and social environments in which they walked and these were used with semi-structured interviews to inductively explore walking group participation and the wider social context of walking. We found that prior to joining there were low expectations of any health benefit and walking groups were not viewed as ‘proper’ activity. The group format and social expectations presented a barrier to joining. Having joined participants described a developing awareness of the health benefits of walking. The shared sense of achieving health goals with others sustained the group rather than socialising, per se. We suggest that walking group participation is a complex social practice. Promoting walking groups as a social activity for this group of people may well have been counter-productive.     

What is the relationship between drug taking and sexual risk? Social relations and social research

This paper examines the dynamics of the relationship between drug taking, sexual activity and sexual risk. While epidemiological research has provided essential indicators of levels of drug taking and sexual risk behaviour, the determinants of the relationship between drug-taking and sexual risk remain unclear. A review of recent epidemiological research indicates two main contentions. First, that the use of certain drugs increases (or decreases) sexual desire and levels of sexual activity. Second, that the use of drugs (licit and illicit) has a disinhibitory effect on safer sex compliance. Critical examination of the literature shows that evidence in support for either of these contentions is both limited and variable. This paper argues that there is little empirical certainty about the causal determinants of the relationship between (a) the reputed pharmacological effects of drug use on sexual activity and (b) the social, situational and cultural factors which may influence sexual activity and safer sex compliance in drug use related encounters. The paper concludes that understandings of the relationship between drug-taking and sexual risk rest as much upon commonsense understanding as on empirical evidence. In response, the paper outlines the needs and parameters of future social research, which as a primary focus aims to examine the social interaction and social relations of drug use and sexual activity.     

Associations between physical activity and the neighbourhood social environment: baseline results from the HABITAT multilevel study

Limitations have arisen when measuring associations between the neighbourhood social environment and physical activity, including same-source bias, and the reliability of aggregated neighbourhood-level social environment measures. This study examines cross-sectional associations between the neighbourhood social environment (perceptions of incivilities, crime, and social cohesion) and self-reported physical activity, while accounting for same-source bias and reliability of neighbourhood-level exposure measures, using data from a large population-based clustered sample. This investigation included 11,035 residents aged 40–65 years from 200 neighbourhoods in Brisbane, Australia, in 2007. Respondents self-reported their physical activity and perceptions of the social environment (neighbourhood incivilities, crime and safety, and social cohesion). Models were adjusted for individual-level education, occupation, and household income, and neighbourhood disadvantage. Exposure measures were generated via split clusters and an empirical Bayes estimation procedure. Data were analysed in 2016 using multilevel multinomial logistic regression. Residents of neighbourhoods with the highest incivilities and crime, and lowest social cohesion were reference categories. Individuals were more likely to be in the higher physical activity categories if they were in neighbourhoods with the lowest incivilities and the lowest crime. No associations were found between social cohesion and physical activity. This study provides a basis from which to gain a clearer understanding of the relationship between the neighbourhood social environment and individual physical activity. Further work is required to explore the pathways between perceptions of the neighbourhood social environment and physical activity.     

Predicting long-term maintenance of physical activity in older adults

BACKGROUND: Considerable research has established that self-efficacy is a consistent correlate of physical activity. Additional factors, such as exercise-induced affect, social support, and value judgments, have also been identified as having the potential to influence adherence to activity. This study examined the utility of such variables in predicting the long-term exercise behavior of older adults. METHOD: In the context of a 6-month randomized controlled trial with an 18-month follow-up, we tested the extent to which adherence during the trial, affective responses to exercise, exercise value, and social support from the exercise group had either a direct or indirect effect through the mediation of exercise self-efficacy on physical activity levels at 6- and 18-month follow-up in a sample (N=174) of older adults (M age, 66 years). Structural equation modeling tested several models of exercise prediction. RESULTS: The best fitting model indicated significant paths from social support, affect, and exercise frequency to efficacy at the end of the program. Efficacy, in turn, was related to physical activity at 6- and 18-month follow-up. The model accounted for 40% of the variance in 18-month activity levels. CONCLUSION: This prospective study provides support for the inclusion of social cognitive variables in models of exercise adherence and highlights the pivotal role of self-efficacy in long-term exercise behavior. Subsequent trials are called for to replicate and extend these findings.     

Independent and Joint Associations between Multiple Measures of the Built and Social Environment and Physical Activity in a Multi-Ethnic Urban Community

Physical activity is associated with reduced risk of a number of health outcomes, yet fewer than half of adults in the United States report recommended levels of physical activity. Analyses of structural characteristics of the built environment as correlates of physical activity have yielded mixed results. We examine associations between multiple aspects of urban neighborhood environments and physical activity in order to understand their independent and joint effects, with a focus on the extent to which the condition of the built environment and indicators of the social environment modify associations between structural characteristics and physical activity. We use data from a stratified, multi-stage proportional probability sample of 919 non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, and Hispanic adults in an urban community, observational data from their residential neighborhoods, and census data to examine independent and joint associations of structural characteristics (e.g., street network connectivity), their condition (e.g., sidewalk condition), and social environments (e.g., territoriality) with physical activity. Our findings suggest that sidewalk condition is associated with physical activity, above and beyond structural characteristics of the built environment. Associations between some structural characteristics of the built environment and physical activity were conditional upon street condition, physical deterioration, and the proportion of parks and playgrounds in good condition. We found modest support for the hypothesis that associations between structural characteristics and physical activity are modified by aspects of the social environment. Results presented here point to the value of and need for understanding and addressing the complexity of factors that contribute to the relationships between the built and social environments and physical activity, and in turn, obesity and co-morbidities. Bringing together urban planners, public health practitioners and policy makers to understand and address aspects of urban environment associated with health outcomes is critical to promoting health and health equity.     

Effects of social activities on life satisfaction among the elderly: four aspects in men and women

OBJECTIVE: The current study was performed to examine relationships between different aspects of social activities and life satisfaction among the elderly. This issue was investigated in men and women separately. METHODS: Data for 612 older adults aged 65 to 84 years were obtained from a mail survey in an urban area. Life satisfaction was measured using the LSIK and social activities were assessed by asking respondents their degree of participation in each type of interaction. The focus was on four aspects: personal activities, socially-related activities, learning activities, and job activity. In order to examine relationships between different aspects of social activities and life satisfaction, the author used multiple regression analyses with the four types of social activity level as independent variables. All except job activity were categorized as lower, middle and higher levels, and work was categorized as low and high. Two models of multiple regression were employed. First, each of the four aspects of social activity was entered as an independent variable (Model 1); second, four aspects of social activity were entered as independent variables simultaneously (Model 2). The analyses were conducted separately for men and women, controlling for age, marital status, subjective economic status and IADL (instrumental activities of daily living). RESULTS: (1) The results of the multiple regression analyses (Model 1) were as follows: for both men and women, personal activities were positively associated with life satisfaction. For women, socially-related activities were also positively related to life satisfaction. For both men and women, learning activities and job activity exhibited statistically nonsignificant relationships with life satisfaction. (2) With Model 2, the results were as follows: among men, none of the aspects of social activity was significantly associated with life satisfaction. Among women, only personal activities were positively associated with life satisfaction. CONCLUSION: When all other aspects of social activity, sociodemographic and IADL factors were controlled, older women with higher levels of engagement in personal activities had greater life satisfaction, whereas among men, none of the aspects of social activity was significantly related to life satisfaction.     

What Predicts Exercise Maintenance and Well-Being? Examining The Influence of Health-Related Psychographic Factors and Social Media Communication

Habitual exercising is an important precursor to both physical and psychological well-being. There is, thus, a strong interest in identifying key factors that can best motivate individuals to sustain regular exercise regimen. In addition to the importance of psychographic factors, social media use may act as external motivator by allowing users to interact and communicate about exercise. In this study, we examined the influence of health consciousness, health-oriented beliefs, intrinsic motivation, as willingness to communicate about health on social media, social media activity on exercise, and online social support on exercise maintenance and well-being on a sample of 532 American adults. Employing structural equation modeling, we found that health-oriented beliefs mediated the effect of health consciousness on intrinsic motivation which in turn was a significant predictor of exercise maintenance. Exercise maintenance significantly predicted both physical and psychological well-being. Extrinsic motivators, as measured by willingness to communicate about health on social media, social media activity on exercise, and online social support did not however significantly influence exercise maintenance. These findings have implications for the design and implementation of exercise-promoting interventions by identifying underlying factors that influence exercise maintenance.     

Network social capital, social participation, and physical inactivity in an urban adult population

Research on individual social capital and physical activity has tended to focus on the association among physical activity, generalized trust, and social participation. Less is known about the association between network social capital, i.e., the resources accessed through one's social connections, and physical inactivity. Using formal network measures of social capital, this study examined which specific dimension of network capital (i.e. diversity, reach and range) was associated with physical inactivity, and whether network social capital mediated the association between physical inactivity and social participation. Data came from the 2008 Montreal (Canada) Neighbourhood Networks and Healthy Aging survey, in which 2707 adults 25 years and older in 300 Montreal neighbourhoods were surveyed. Physical activity was self-reported using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). IPAQ guidelines provided the basis for the physical inactivity cutoff. Network social capital was measured with a position generator instrument. Multilevel logistic methods were used to examine the association between physical inactivity and individual social capital dimensions, while adjusting for socio-demographic and -economic factors. Higher network diversity was associated with a decreased likelihood of physical inactivity. Consistent with previous findings, individuals who did not participate in any formal associations were more likely to be physically inactive compared to those with high levels of participation. Network diversity mediated the association between physical inactivity and participation. Generalized trust and the network components of reach and range were not shown associated with physical inactivity. Findings highlight the importance of social participation and network social capital and the added value of network measures in the study of social capital and physical inactivity. Population-based programs targeting physical inactivity among adults might consider ecological-level interventions that leverage associational involvement and interpersonal relationships to improve population-level physical activity.     

Participation by doing: Social interaction in everyday activities among persons with schizophrenia

Schizophrenia impacts on social functioning and participation in everyday life. However, there is limited research describing how persons with schizophrenia interact with others when performing daily activities. The aim of this study is to describe how persons with schizophrenia interact with others while performing everyday activities in different contexts in terms of facilitating and hindering factors. Repeated participant observations of four persons with schizophrenia were conducted in their environment. The observed activities and social interactions were chosen from the participant's daily routines. Field notes were taken during the observations. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. Two themes constitute the main result: Facilitating social interaction in activity performance and Hindering social interaction in activity performance. These two themes serve as headings for sub-themes representing factors influencing social interaction in activity performance. Through a further analysis of the themes the following dichotomous contexts were identified as influential: meaningful/not meaningful activity being performed; attitudes were trusting/lacking trust; and location, at home/outside the home. Conclusion: If the facilitating contextual factors are considered for each individual when planning and performing everyday activities together with others there is a possibility to improve social interaction skills and thereby participation.     

Present state of social participation and associated factors among middle-aged and older people--a survey in Hatoyama Town, Saitama Prefecture

BACKGROUND: Many studies have documented that social participation is beneficial for maintaining autonomy and quality of later life. However, little is known about present state of social participation in the Japanese elderly and effective means for its promotion. PURPOSE: To establish what factor might promote social participation in later life, this study was performed to examine the present state of social participation and a number of parameters among middle-aged and older people living in a Japanese community. METHODS: The subjects comprised 1,568 residents aged 55 to 79 years, a 1/3 random sample selected from the total population of this age group in H town, Saitama Prefecture. They were requested to answer the questionnaire delivered by mail. We examined the level of social participation from four aspects: work, social and volunteer activities, individual pursuits and study activities, and analyzed possible associations with demographic, socio-economic, health-, and community-related variables by multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 964 persons answered the questionnaire (61.5% response rate). Age and gender were associated with each of four social activity domains. Living arrangements (with or without spouse) were independently associated with social and volunteer activity, and study. Educational attainment positively correlated with work and individual pursuits. Residents in a newly constructed town-region were less likely to engage in work, social and volunteer activities, and study than their counterparts living in an older town-region. Those who had a stronger sense of co-living in the community, and who would like to keep their social activity level, were more likely to participate in social and volunteer, as well as study activities and also individual pursuits. People feeling that the municipality should support social activities among residents had a higher level of study activity. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that cultivating a sense of co-living in the community among residents and maintaining their motivation are needed for promoting social participation among older residents. To what extent public support should meet potential needs of social participation remains for further study.     

Characteristics of social activity of the elderly who belong to senior citizens

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to clarify environmental conditions determining the social activities of the elderly, by analyzing levels of activity in individuals belonging to clubs for senior citizens. METHODS: In 1998, we conducted a survey of over 10,000 elderly subjects, 65 years of age or older, who belonged to 228 clubs for senior citizens in a region of Saitama Prefecture, using a 'Check list' developed for self-evaluation of social activities. The proportions of 'active' and 'inactive' seniors, as judged by the 'Check list' for each of the four different aspects of social activities (1. individual activities, 2. social participation/volunteering, 3. education/training, 4. employment), were compared with those of the standard elderly population. RESULTS: Two hundred and seven clubs for senior citizens (90.8%) participated in this study. About 82.0% of the members of each club filled out the 'Check list'. High levels as compared to the standard population were demonstrated for two aspects of social activity: individual activity and social participation/volunteering. Women had higher levels of both types of social activity than men. Men aged 74 years or younger had lower than average levels for three aspects of social activity: social participation/volunteering, education/training, and employment. Members who resided in urban areas with easy access had higher levels of individual activity, social participation/volunteering and education/training. On the other hand, those residing in suburbs with large spaces for agriculture had higher levels for employment. CONCLUSION: Our results for social activities of elderly subjects belonging to clubs for senior citizens indicate that strong correlations exist with environmental conditions, including communication facilities and local or industrial structure.     

课间活动对儿童青少年身心健康影响的研究进展

近年来,儿童青少年在校的课间休息时间及其对健康的影响作用备受关注。儿童青少年在学校中度过了大部分的学习日,而良好的课间休息有利于儿童青少年的身心健康、社会和情感的发展。研究主要从课间活动对儿童青少年肥胖、近视、认知、社交等身心健康方面的影响进行综述,为营造有利于儿童青少年健康的在校课间活动提供理论依据。     

The effectiveness of social marketing interventions for health improvement: what's the evidence?

OBJECTIVES: To review the effectiveness of social marketing interventions designed to improve diet, increase physical activity, and tackle substance misuse. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This article describes three reviews of systematic reviews and primary studies that evaluate social marketing effectiveness. All three reviews used pre-defined search and inclusion criteria and defined social marketing interventions as those which adopted six key social marketing principles. RESULTS: The reviews provide evidence that social marketing interventions can be effective in improving diet, increasing exercise, and tackling the misuse of substances like alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. There is evidence that social marketing interventions can work with a range of target groups, in different settings, and can work upstream as well as with individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Social marketing provides a very promising framework for improving health both at the individual level and at wider environmental and policy-levels. Problems with research design, lack of conceptual understanding or implementation are valid research concerns.     

Social participation and health in a community rich in stock of social capital

In Finland, members of the Swedish-speaking minority, many of whom live in the province of Ostrobothnia, intermingle with the Finnish-speaking majority. Although the two language communities are quite similar to each other in most societal respects, including socioeconomic status, education and use of health services, significant disparities have been reported in the morbidity, disability and mortality between the Swedish-speaking minority and the Finnish-speaking majority. Since the population genetic, ecological and socioeconomic circumstances are equal, Swedish speakers' longer active life is difficult to explain by conventional health-related risk factors. A great deal of health inequality (between the language groups) seems to derive from uneven distribution of social capital, i.e. the Swedish-speaking community holds a higher amount of social capital that is associated with their well-being and health. Factor analysis revealed four patterns of social capital measures, i.e. voluntary associational activity, friendship network, religious involvement and hobby club activity, of which associational activity, friendship network and religious involvement were significantly associated with good self-rated health. Also, trustful friendship network, hobby club activity and religious involvement as well as avoidance of intoxication-prone drinking behavior were significantly more frequent among the individuals of the Swedish-speaking community. We suggest that health promotion should seek ways of working which would encourage social participation.     

Social identity,perceived urban neighborhood quality,and physical inactivity: A comparison study of China,Taiwan, and South Korea

Asian countries are currently witnessing unprecedented increase in physical inactivity and subsequent negative health outcomes; however, few cross-country studies documenting this trend exist. This paper presents the findings of a nationally representative sample, based on the East Asian Social Survey in 2011. The study sought to examine the association of social identity factors, such as objective socio-economic position, perceived social status and neighborhood quality with physical inactivity, while controlling for psychosocial and physical health. A sample of 5222 adults living in urban areas across China, Taiwan, and South Korea were surveyed. Methods: Multivariate nested logistic regressions were constructed. Results: Perceived social status was positively associated with physical activity. Gender difference in physical activity was significant, and this difference widened as educational levels increased. Class division in physical activity was also found. Perceived physical and social features of neighborhood such as suitability for walking and jogging, air quality, and help from neighbors were to different degrees associated with physical inactivity. Conclusion: Gender, marital status, education and perceived social status were common factors associated with physical inactivity in East Asian countries. Perceived urban neighborhood quality is particularly important for Chinese people to stay physically active. Cultural-behavioral norms for physical activity associated with gender and social status call for more studies on cultural perspective for health behaviors in cross-cultural contexts.     

Health actions and social class among older Australians

This paper aims to identify aspects of social class that are related to health actions important for older Australians. Data are from the 1994 Health Status of Older People Project baseline survey of 1,000 participants aged 65 and over in Melbourne. Analyses employed logistic regression controlling for age and gender. Physical activity was related to both former occupation and current income; social activity to former occupation; and not smoking to home ownership. Health promotion strategies require a better understanding of the ways in which aspects of social class affect the life course experiences of different birth cohorts. Promotion of physical and social activity in old age needs to take account of the continuing influence of advantages associated with social class.     

Social Provisions and Young Women’s Health-Related Physical Activity

Understanding the factors involved in being active enough for health benefits is necessary to promote health-related physical activity. Given the documented role of social support in women’s activity (Molloy et al. 2010), this study examined the relationship between Weiss’s (1974) social provisions and health-related physical activity in young women. College undergraduate women (N = 136) from a kinesiology course completed a modified Social Provisions Scale (Cutrona and Russell 1987) and reported on the physical activity they engaged in with others over a 4-week period in the fall of 2011. We used average daily energy expenditure, calculated based on participants’ reported activity involvement, to classify participants as either sufficiently or insufficiently active (Canadian Fitness & Lifestyle Research Institute 1999). A logistic regression using sufficient/insufficient activity levels for health as the dependent variable revealed that the six provisions reliably differentiated between those who were active enough for health benefits versus not. Of the six, two provisions were significantly associated with health-related physical activity—specifically, those who held higher perceptions of reassurance of worth and social integration were more likely to be in the sufficiently-active group. These results provide an initial indication of the specific social provisions associated with young women who are active enough to achieve health benefits.