Determinants of daily exercises among employees with overweight or obesity: the application of health belief model

Abstract

The obesity is increasing as one of the risk factors of CVD among high classes in developing countries. This study aimed to identify the determinants of daily exercises among overweight or obese employees using the Health Belief Model (HBM) in 2017. For the purpose of the study, 101 employees working in healthcare facilities affiliated with Ilam University of Medical Sciences were included after presenting a written consent form. The tool to collect data was a self-made questionnaire, which was applied after reviewing and approving its validity and reliability. The results showed that the mean of daily exercises among participants was 8.22±1.19 min. Statistical tests showed that there was a significant relationship between gender and the amount of daily exercises so that the mean exercises of men was higher than that of women. Accordingly, self-efficacy was determined as the strongest predictor of daily exercises based on multiple linear regression tests. At the end of the study, the researchers concluded that amount of daily exercises among the participants of this study was low while overweight and obesity would increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases; therefore, applying appropriate interventions, based on HBM in particular, can be effective in reducing the risk of obesity.