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Background & Objective: Physical activity is one of the main components of lifestyle. Lack of physical activity along with unhealthy eating result in chronic diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes, and osteoporosis. This study aimed to design an educational program for improving physical activity in secondary school female students in Tonkabon in 2008.
Methods & Materials: This study was an educational intervention in which 600 students enrolled in the study. The participants were allocated randomly in the intervention (n=300) and control (n=300) groups. Data were gathered using "International Physical Activity Questionnaire" and a standardized questionnaire -according to PRECEDE model- at baseline. The program was planned according to the PRECEDE model and was implemented in the intervention group students. Data were gathered two months after the intervention in both groups. Data were analyzed using Chi-Square, t-test, variance and regression analysis tests in the SPSS and STATA.
Results: Following the educational intervention, the mean scores of the predisposing factors (knowledge and attitude), enabling factors, and reinforcing factors as well as the behavior were significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The findings showed that this structured program is useful in improving physical activity in female students.

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Background & Objective: Regular and adequate physical activity is a major factor in maintaining good health throughout entire life course. Levels of inactivity are high in all countries. Effective educational interventions are needed to promote physical activity in all populations. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a heath education intervention on physical activity knowledge, attitude, and behavior in health volunteers of Tehran in 2008.

Methods & Materials: All active female health volunteers of Tehran, district 14 (n=100) were recruited for this experimental study. Data were gathered using a questionnaire of knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding physical activity. The questionnaire was completed by all participants in two phases of pre- and post-intervention (four weeks after the intervention). Health education intervention strategies were presented to the intervention group during three educational sessions with one week interval between the sessions. Data were analyzed using related statistical tests.

Results: Findings showed significant statistical differences in knowledge, total physical activity rate per week, and the mean sitting time per day between the control and intervention groups after the intervention (P<0.05). While, these variables were not significantly different before the educational intervention among both groups.

Conclusion: The health education intervention presented in this study was effective in promoting knowledge, total physical activity rate per week, and mean sitting time per day among the female health volunteers.

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Background & Objective: Appropriate physical activity help to promote women&aposs health during pregnancy. Providing appropriate educational programs for pregnant women seems to be necessary. This study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of a group educational program on pregnant women&aposs physical activity.

Methods & Materials: This clinical trial was conducted among 280 nulliparous women. The participants were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. Women in the experimental group participated in eight 90-minute group-based educational classes. Those in the control group received routine care. Data were collected at baseline and at the end of the educational program. Data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test and the t-test in the SPSS.

Results: There were no statistical differences on age, body mass index, education level, employment status, and physical activity between the two groups at baseline. The physical activity score was more in the experiment group (37.38±14.89) in compare with the control group (13.7±11.12) after the intervention (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The group-based educational program seems to promote physical activity during pregnancy. These kinds of programs should be implemented in prenatal clinics.

 

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Background & Aim: This study aimed to assess relationship between perceived benefits/barriers and decisional balance with stages of change for physical activity among high school students in Bandar Abbas, Iran.

Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted in high schools of Bandar Abbas, in the south of Iran. A total of 422 high school students were selected. Twenty two participants did not fill out questionnaires completely. A total of 400 questionnaires were analyzed (response rate=94.8%). The perceived benefits/ barriers to exercise and decisional balance were assessed using the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale and stages of change were assessed using the Physical Activity staging. Data were analyzed in the SPSS v.16.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 15.9 (SD=1.1) ranging from 14 to 18 years. More than half of the participants (51.8%) were male and 48.2% were female. About half of the participants (49.2%) were engaged in regular physical activities. Fifteen per cent of the participants in the precontemplation stage, 15.8% in the contemplation stage, 20% in preparation stage, 15.8% in action stage, and 33.4% in maintenance stage for physical activity. From precontemplation stage to maintenance stage, the perceived benefits and decisional balance were increased and the perceived barriers was decreased.

Conclusion: The results of this study are in line with the Transtheoretical model. This model can be used as a framework to design interventions for improving physical activity in population.

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Background & Aim: Physical activity is a health behavior that helps one's mental and general health, improves the health of women during preconception period and reduces pregnancy and birth complications. The aim of this study was to predict physical activity based on the BASNEF model constructs during preconception period among women referred to Uremia health centers.
Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 230 women during preconception period, who were selected using the multistage sampling method in 2018. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire containing sociodemographic information, the BASNEF model constructs, and a short form of the international physical activity questionnaire. Data were analyzed using logistic and linear regression and t-test through the SPSS software version 16.
Results: The results showed that 61.3% of women had low levels of physical activity. Knowledge (β=0.2, P<0.003), attitude (β=0.15, P<0.017), and enabling factors (β=0.18, P<0.004) significantly explained their intention to do physical activity. Also, among the predictive variables, knowledge (P<0.001) significantly explained physical activity.
Conclusion: Low rate of women's physical activity during preconception period calls for designing an intervention based on BASNEF model in order to influence knowledge, attitude and enabling factors.