Social cognitions measured in 4 to 6 year olds are predictive of objectively measured physical activity

Abstract

Objective: This study tested whether social cognitions from the reasoned action approach (RAA) can be reliably measured in a sample of primary school children (aged 4–6 years) and whether these RAA measures are predictive of physical activity.

Design: Longitudinal observational study with repeated measures over six months.

Measures: RAA variables were measured using a novel choice paradigm between physically active and sedentary pastimes. Relative reinforcing value, covariates (sex, age, deprivation and BMI) and physical activity by accelerometry (primary outcome) were also measured.

Results: RAA cognitions could be measured with acceptable retest reliability and discriminant validity and social norms regarding parents and teachers (but not friends) were correlated with physical activity and change in physical activity when relative reinforcing value and other covariates were controlled for.

Conclusions: RAA cognitions can be reliably measured in primary school children aged 4–6 and RRA measures appear useful in understanding children’s activity choices and may potentially inform future interventions.

Keywords:

• reasoned action approach
• primary school children
• physical activity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The term prediction is used here to describe a prospective statistical relationship usually tested with regression analyses and does not imply any assumptions about direction and/or causality.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Scottish Government [grant number CZH/4/458], Chief Scientist Office to Falko F. Sniehotta, John R. Speakman and Vera Araújo-Soares.