title: The adoption of physical activity and eating behaviors among persons with obesity and in the general population: the role of implicit attitudes within the Theory of Planned Behavior.
abstract: Obesity can be prevented by the combined adoption of a regular physical activity (PA) and healthy eating behaviors (EB). Researchers mainly focused on socio-cognitive models, such as the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), to identify the psychological antecedents of these behaviors. However, few studies were interested in testing the potential contribution of automatic processes in the prediction of PA and EB. Thus, the main objective of this study was to explore the specific role of implicit attitudes in the pattern of prediction of self-reported PA and EB in the TPB framework, among persons with obesity and in adults from the general population. One hundred and fifty-three adults participated to this cross-sectional study among which 59 obese persons (74% women, age: 50.6 ± 12.3 years, BMI: 36.8 ± 4.03 kg m-²) and 94 people from the general population (51% women; age: 34.7 ± 8.9 years). Implicit attitudes toward PA and EB were estimated through two Implicit Association Tests. TPB variables, PA and EB were assessed by questionnaire. Regarding to the prediction of PA, a significant contribution of implicit attitudes emerged in obese people, β = .25; 95%[CI: .01, .50]; P = .044, beyond the TPB variables, contrary to participants from the general population. The present study suggests that implicit attitudes play a specific role among persons with obesity regarding PA. Other studies are needed to examine which kind of psychological processes are specifically associated with PA and EB among obese people.
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory Epsylon, Dynamics of Human Abilities and Health Behavior , University of Montpellier , Montpellier , France.|b Department of Clinical Physiology (CERAMM) , University Hospital of Montpellier , Montpellier , France.|c Clinique du Souffle La Vallonie ®, Groupe 5 Santé , Lodève , France.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chevance
authors.affiliation: d Laboratoire sur la Vulnérabilité et L'innovation dans le Sport , University of Lyon 1 , Lyon , France.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caudroit
authors.affiliation: e Department of Nutrition and Diabetes , University Hospital of Montpellier , Montpellier , France.|f Centre de Recherche du CHU de Montréal (CRCHUM) , Montréal , Canada.
authors.forename: Ahmed J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Romain
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory Epsylon, Dynamics of Human Abilities and Health Behavior , University of Montpellier , Montpellier , France.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boiché
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D011582:Psychological Theory; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Automatic processes; Theory of Planned Behavior; diet; exercise; implicit attitudes