Motivation and Lifestyle-Related Changes among Participants in a Healthy Life Centre: A 12-Month Observational Study

Cille H. Sevild, Christopher P. Niemiec, Sindre M. Dyrstad and Lars Edvin Bru
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Cille H. Sevild: Department of Public Health, University of Stavanger, 4021 Stavanger, Norway
Christopher P. Niemiec: Department of Public Health, University of Stavanger, 4021 Stavanger, Norway
Sindre M. Dyrstad: Department of Public Health, University of Stavanger, 4021 Stavanger, Norway
Lars Edvin Bru: Centre for Learning Environment, University of Stavanger, 4021 Stavanger, Norway

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-16

Abstract: Healthy Life Centers (HLCs) have been established throughout Norway to support lifestyle changes and promote physical and mental health. We conducted a 12-month observational study among participants in an HLC that aimed to improve physical activity (PA) and dietary behaviors, and this study examined predictors of completion, and changes in psychological variables, lifestyle behaviors, and physical health indicators. The participants (N = 120, 71% female, mean age = 44 years) reported symptoms of psychological distress (77%) and were obese (77%). No baseline characteristics were found to be consistent predictors of completion (42%). Completers had significant improvements in autonomous motivation for PA ( d = 0.89), perceived competence for PA ( d = 1.64) and diet ( d = 0.66), psychological distress ( d = 0.71), fruit intake ( d = 0.64), vegetable intake ( d = 0.38), BMI among all participants ( d = 0.21) and obese participants ( d = 0.34), body fat percentage among all participants ( d = 0.22) and obese participants ( d = 0.33), and lower body strength ( d = 0.91). Fat-free mass and all forms of PA remained unchanged from baseline to 12 months. Hence, there were indications of improvement among completers on psychological variables, lifestyle behaviors, and physical health indicators. The low rate of completion was a concern, and the unchanged levels of PA reflect an important area of focus for future interventions in the context of HLCs.

Keywords: autonomous motivation; body composition; lifestyle change; perceived competence; physical health; mental health; self-determination theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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