title: Predictive Factors of Regular Physical Activity among Middle-Aged Women in the West of Iran, Hamadan: Application of PRECEDE Model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regular physical activity is important for midlife women. Models and theories help better understanding this behavior among middle-aged women and better planning for change behavior in target group. This study aimed to investigate predictive factors of regular physical activity among middle-aged women based on PRECEDE model as a theoretical framework.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 866 middle-aged women of Hamadan City western Iran, recruited with a proportional stratified sampling method in 2015. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire including questions on demographic characteristics and PRECEDE model constructs and IPAQ questionnaire. Data were then analyzed by SPSS-16 and AMOS-16 using the Pearson correlation test and the pathway analysis method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 57% of middle-aged women were inactive (light level) or not sufficiently active. With SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) analysis, knowledge b=0.84, P<0.001, attitude b=0.799, P<0.001, self-efficacy b=0.633, P<0.001 as predisposing factor and social support as reinforcing factor b=0.2, P<0.001 were the most important predictors for physical activity among middle-aged women in Hamadan.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The framework of the PRECEDE model is useful in understanding regular physical activity among middle-aged women. Furthermore, results showed the importance of predisposing and reinforcing factors when planning educational interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Shohreh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Emdadi
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Health Sciences & Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Hamadan university of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Mohammad Mehdi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hazavehie
authors.affiliation: Modeling of non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Hamadan university of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. Soltanian@umsha.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soltanian
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health Research Center and Department of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bashirian
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Health Sciences and Department of Ergonomics, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Rashid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heidari Moghadam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009043:Motor Activity; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Iran; Middle-aged Women; PRECEDE Model; Predictive factors; Regular Physical Activity