A comparison of antecedents of regular exercise among obese women who do and do not achieve weight loss during six months

Vartanian, Heather K

Saturday, 16 November 2013

Heather K Vartanian, MSN, RN
College of Nursing, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

Learning Objective 1: Describe the importance of regular exercise in maintaining resting metabolic rate during reduced caloric intake.

Learning Objective 2: Explain the relationships between antecedents of regular exercise and engaging in regular exercise based on Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior.

In the United States, 35.5% of adult women are classified as obese, defined as a body mass index of ≥ 30 kg/m². The risk for premature death and increased chronic illness associated with obesity can be mitigated through losing as little as 5-10% of initial body weight. To lose weight, individuals need to create a negative energy balance. Evidence shows that reductions in caloric intake alone, without increases in caloric expenditure, lowers resting metabolic rate and thereby impedes weight loss. Regular exercise maintains resting metabolic rate, suggesting that maintaining regular exercise is an essential component to maintaining weight loss.

The purpose of this study is to compare the antecedents of maintaining regular exercise (i.e., behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, control beliefs, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions) among obese women who have and have not achieved at least 5% loss of body weight over six months. Seventy obese women (35 in each group) will be recruited. The first group will include women who have been successful in reducing their body weight by at least 5% over the past 6 months, and the other group will be comprised of women who were not successful. Quantitatively, the antecedents will be measured using the Physical Activity Survey for Adults at Risk for Diabetes (Blue, 2004). Regular exercise will be measured using the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey Sports and Exercise subsection (Sternfeld, Ainsworth, & Quesenberry, 1999). In addition, two focus groups will be convened to identify facilitators and barriers related to maintaining regular exercise. Descriptive and comparative statistics will be used to analyze quantitative data, and content analysis will be used to analyze qualitative data. Results from this study may contribute toward development of targeted interventions to facilitate maintenance of regular exercise in obese women as a means of sustaining weight loss.

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