A theory-based educational intervention to promote behavior change and physical activity participation in middle-aged women: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Promoting physical activity (PA) behavior by education can help people to create and maintain an active lifestyle until old age. This study aimed to design and evaluate a theory-based educational intervention to promote behavior change and PA in middle-aged women. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 73 middle-aged women in Jovein, Iran, from January to November 2018. A researcher-made questionnaire based on the volition phase constructs of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model was used. Randomly, one health base and one health house were assigned to the intervention group and one health base and one health house were assigned to the control group, and the participants were randomly selected from these centers. Both the groups completed the questionnaires before, immediately after, and 3 months after the educational intervention. The educational intervention was held in three 60-min sessions among three groups of approximately 17 participants. PA maintenance was measured 6 months after the intervention. Results: Immediately and 3 months after the intervention, the mean scores of all the volition phase constructs significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Three and 6 months after the intervention, the number of people who had at least 150 min of moderate PA per week was significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The educational intervention based on the volition phase constructs of the HAPA increased PA intention and facilitated the transition from an inactive lifestyle to an active lifestyle among middle-aged women.