I NSTITUTE F OR H EALTH A ND H UMAN D EVELOPMENT Theoretical approaches to researching environmental influences on physical activity Paul Watts Institute

INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENTINSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Theoretical approaches to researching environmental

influences on physical activity

Paul WattsInstitute of Health and Human

Development, University of East London



What do we mean by theory?

“A set of interrelated concepts, definitions, and propositions that presents a systematic view of events or situations by specifying relations among variables in order to explain and predict events or situations.”

(Glanz, et al., 1997)



Available Theories and Frameworks :

• Ecological Theories (McLeroy, 1988; Stokols, 1992)

• Urban Design Theories (e.g. Hamilton, 1999)• Intention / Attitude / Efficacy oriented theories

(e.g. Ajzen, 1991, Bandura, 1986).• Theoretical Frameworks (e.g. Swinburn et al.,

1999)



Achieving better predictive capacity through greater specificity.

The aesthetic environment and physical activity:Some examples of greater theoretical specificity:

‘Broken window theory’ (Wilson and Kelling, 1989).

Graffiti: Understanding specific social contexts.

‘Sightings of active people’: The role of cognitive mediation.



Broken Windows Theory Perception that ‘nobody cares’

A broken window is left unrepaired

Poor aesthetic environment

Dog mess not cleared

More broken windows

Litter is dropped

Fear of using streetsLower Physical

Activity

Social ConflictPerceived Danger



Why is it important to be so explicit?

Discourages ambiguity

Effective evaluation

Accept / Develop /Discard

Policy formulation

Specific contributions

Aggregation / integration of results

Influence behavior



Evaluating theoretical foundations of evidence

Applies Theory

Tests Theory

Informed by theory

Originates Theory

Develops Theory

Painter et al., (2008)



Systematic review - Preliminary Findings

010

20304050

60708090

100

Informed Applies Tests Develops

Num

ber

of S

tudi

es

98

27

137

First 150 studies analysed:



Findings cont.• Tendency to reference theory followed by

a ‘pick and choose’ approach to construct selection.

• Failure to operationalize theoretical constructs into measurable constructs - i.e. Not measuring what they claim to be e.g. social capital.

• Measures of physical activity often didn’t reflect the theory that informed the study.

• No discussion of the role of cognitive mediation.



Conclusions and Recommendations• Turn ‘accepted wisdom’ into explicit theory (Allender et al, 2009).• Don’t simply reference theory; link the theory to the measure and EXPLICATE.• Choose appropriately from the range of theory available.• Make theories more accessible and user friendly.• A beacon for public health theory.• Seize opportunities to test theories.



Recommended Reading• Glanz, K., Lewis, F.M. and Rimer, B.K. (2002 ) Linking theory, research and practice. In Glanz, K., Lewis, F.M. and Rimer, B.K.

(eds), Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research and Practice, 2nd edn. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA, pp. 19–35.

• Bedimo-Rung, A. L., Mowen, A. J., Cohen, D. A. (2005) The Significance of Parks to Physical Activity and Public Health A Conceptual Model. Am J Prev Med 2005;28(2S2):159 –168

• Handy, Al., Boarnet, M.G., Ewing, R. et al., (2002) How the Built Environment Affects Physical Activity: Views from Urban Planning. Am J Prev Med 23(2S):64 –73

• Kremers, SPJ., de Bruijn, G., Visscher T et al., (2006). Environmental influences on energy balance-related behaviors: A dual-process view. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 3: 9

• www.activelivingresearch.org – Research Archive, Tools Archive, News links etc.

• February 2009 supplement to the Journal of Public Health Policy.



Acknowledgements• Thank you to:

• Prof Mark Petticrew (LSHTM)

• Prof Adrian Renton (IHHD, UEL)

• Dr Rachel Aldred (UEL)



References Ajzen,I. (1991). The theory of planned behaviour. Organisational Behaviour and

Human Decision Processes, 50, 179–211. Allender, S., Cavill, N., Parker, M., Foster, C., (2009) `Tell us something we don't

already know or do!' — The response of planning and transport professionals to public health guidance on the built environment and physical activity. Journal of Public Health Policy, Volume 30, Number 1, April 2009 , pp. 102-116(15)

Bandura A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall,

Glanz, K., Lewis, F.M. and Rimer, B.K. (1997) Linking theory, research and practice. In Glanz, K., Lewis, F.M. and Rimer, B.K. (eds), Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research and Practice, 2nd edn. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA, pp. 19–35.

McLeroy, K., D. Bibeau, A. Steckler, and K. Glanz (1988). An ecological perspective on health promotion programs. Health Educ. Q. 15:351–377.#

Painter, J. E., Borba, C. P., Hynes, M., Mays, D., & Glanz, K. (2008). The use of theory in health behaviour research from 2000 to 2005: a systematic review. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 35(3), 358–362.

Stokols D. (1992). Establishing and maintaining healthy environments: towards a social ecology of health promotion. Am Psychol;47:6–22.

Swinburn B, Egger G, Raza F (1999). Dissecting obesogenic environments: the development and application of a framework for identifying and prioritizing environmental 60 interventions for obesity. Prev Med;29:563–70.

Wilson JQ, Kelling GL. Broken windows. In: Dunham RG, Alpert GP, eds. Critical Issues in Policing: Contemporary Readings. Prospect Heights, Ill: Waveland Press Inc; 1989.

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I NSTITUTE F OR H EALTH A ND H UMAN D EVELOPMENT Theoretical approaches to researching environmental influences on physical activity Paul Watts Institute