Professor Ann Macaskill

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Evaluation of the Theory of Planned Behavior as a
Predictor of Physical Activity, Healthy Eating
and Obesity in Fourth Grade Schoolchildren in
Thailand

• Professor Ann Macaskill
• Patcharee Duangchan
• Assoc.Prof. Dusadee Yoelao
• Assist.Prof. Ungsinun Intarakamhang

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Outline
Background Objectives Conceptual
framework Methodology Results Implications Brief
outline of the planned intervention
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Background
The prevalence of overweight amongst school
children in Thailand

• range from 8 to 28
• depends on type of school and geographical
  areas
• high prevalence in
• Bangkok

Source Department of Health, Ministry of Public
Health, 2006
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Background (cont.)
Prevalence of obesity in Demonstration schools

• review 25 28
• preliminary study

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Background (cont.)
prevention of obesity
Physical activity
Healthy eating
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Objective

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the TPB in
  determining the factors that may predict
• Engagement with physical activity
• and healthy eating
• Obesity in schoolchildren.

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Theory of Planned Behavior
Attitude to behavior
B E L I E F S
Subjective Norm
Intention
behavior
PBC
Actual BC
Source Ajzen. 2002 1
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Methodology

• Participants
• 231 fourth grade schoolchildren, aged 9-11 years,
  in demonstration schools located in Bangkok,
  Thailand

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Methodology (cont.)
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Methodology (cont.)
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Results
Prediction of intention and Physical activity
Attitude toward Physical activity
.18
.14
Intention to perform Physical activity
Subjective Norm about Physical activity
Physical activity
.17
.68
Perceived Behavioral Control of Physical Activity
.29
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Results (cont.)
Prediction of intention and Healthy eating
Attitude toward healthy eating
.17
Intention to perform healthy eating
Subjective Norm about healthy eating
Healthy eating
.15
.75
Perceived Behavioral Control of healthy eating
.28
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Physical activity
Prediction of Students BMI
Daily exercise for at least 30 minutes
Physically active in any free time
Avoids physical inactivity
- .17
Breastfeeding
Students BMI
.18
Mothers BMI
.35
Fathers BMI
- .20
Eating fruits and vegetables
Avoiding fast food, fatty food, and snacks
Avoiding sugary foods and sugars-sweetened drinks
Healthy eating
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Implications

• Predictive models of health behavior developed
  in Western samples may not be as applicable
  cross-culturally as is often assumed
• Intervention programs which focus on enhancing
  Perceived Behavioral Control of physical activity
  and healthy eating and parental involvement
  should be developed

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From results to Interventions
Perceived Behavioral Control Dominant
predictor of behavior
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The planned Interventions
Intervention principles

• Self-efficacy
• Mastery experience
• Modeling
• Persuasive techniques

• Self-control
• Self-monitoring
• Stimuli control
• Peer discussion

Implementation Intention
17
Healthy eating Intervention
18
Physical activity Intervention
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Thank you