Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #197565
Title: UNDERSTANDING THE MECHANISMS OF CHANGE IN CHILDREN'S PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMS

Author
item Baranowski, Thomas
item JAGO, RUSSELL - UNIV BRISTOL

Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2005
Publication Date: 10/1/2005
Citation: Baranowski, T., Jago, R. 2005. Understanding mechanisms of change in children's physical activity programs. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews. 33(4):163-168.

Interpretive Summary: This paper presents a conceptual model of the sequence of events that occur between implementation of a behavior change program and behavior change. This model proposes new ideas for what events are sequentially linked and, thereby, how change should occur. Hopefully this model will guide future evaluations of intervention programs and validate the model or identify new paths that need to be studied to understand how intervention programs produce behavior change. The better we understand this process, the more we should be able to optimize it.

Technical Abstract: There is a lack of understanding of why childhood physical activity interventions succeed or fail. A model is proposed that relates program process to mediating variables and outcomes. Using the mdoel to design and evaluate interventions could result in a greater understanding of the mechanisms of children's physical activity behavior change and how to tailor programs to them.