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Predicting Physical Activity and Healthy Nutrition Behaviors Using Social Cognitive Theory: Cross-Sectional Survey among Undergraduate Students in Chongqing, China

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  • Xianglong Xu

    (School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
    Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
    The Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yang Pu

    (School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
    Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
    The Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Manoj Sharma

    (Department of Behavioral and Environmental Health, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39213, USA)

  • Yunshuang Rao

    (School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
    School of Nursing, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China)

  • Yilin Cai

    (School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
    Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
    The Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China)

  • Yong Zhao

    (School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
    Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
    The Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China)

Abstract

(1) Background: Generally suggested public health measures to reduce obesity were to limit television (TV) viewing, enhance daily physical activities, enable the consumption of fruit and vegetables, and reduce sugar-sweetened beverage intake. This study analyzed the extent to which selected social cognitive theory constructs can predict these behaviors among Chinese undergraduate students. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1976 undergraduate students from six universities in Chongqing, China. A self-administered five-point Likert common physical activity and nutrition behavior scale based on social cognitive theory was utilized. (3) Results: This study included 687 (34.77%) males and 1289 (65.23%) females. A total of 60.14% of the students engaged in exercise for less than 30 min per day. Approximately 16.5% of the participants spent at least 4 h watching TV and sitting in front of a computer daily. Approximately 79% of the participants consumed less than five cups of fruit and vegetables daily. Undergraduate students who had high self-efficacy scores had more leisure time physical activities. Those who have high expectation scores had considerable time watching TV and sitting in front of a computer. Undergraduate students who had high expectation and self-efficacy scores had substantially low consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. Those who had high self-efficacy scores consumed considerable amounts of fruit and vegetables. Furthermore, the type of university, BMI group, gender, age, lack of siblings, and grade level were associated with the aforementioned four behaviors. (4) Conclusion: Physical inactivity and unhealthy nutrition behaviors are common among undergraduate students. This study used social cognitive theory to provide several implications for limiting the TV viewing, enhancing daily physical activities, consuming fruit and vegetables, and reducing sugar-sweetened beverage intake among undergraduate students.

Suggested Citation

  • Xianglong Xu & Yang Pu & Manoj Sharma & Yunshuang Rao & Yilin Cai & Yong Zhao, 2017. "Predicting Physical Activity and Healthy Nutrition Behaviors Using Social Cognitive Theory: Cross-Sectional Survey among Undergraduate Students in Chongqing, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:11:p:1346-:d:117699
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ng, Shu Wen & Norton, Edward C. & Popkin, Barry M., 2009. "Why have physical activity levels declined among Chinese adults? Findings from the 1991-2006 China health and nutrition surveys," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(7), pages 1305-1314, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dandan Mo & Mi Xiang & Mengyun Luo & Yuanyuan Dong & Yue Fang & Shunxing Zhang & Zhiruo Zhang & Huigang Liang, 2019. "Using Gamification and Social Incentives to Increase Physical Activity and Related Social Cognition among Undergraduate Students in Shanghai, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-17, March.
    2. András Fehér & Miklós Véha & Henrietta Mónika Boros & Bence Kovács & Enikő Kontor & Zoltán Szakály, 2021. "The Relationship between Online and Offline Information-Seeking Behaviors for Healthy Nutrition," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Shaohua Tan & Fengxiao Cao & Jinsu Yang, 2020. "The Study on Spatial Elements of Health-Supportive Environment in Residential Streets Promoting Residents’ Walking Trips," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-33, July.

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