Changing physical activity behaviour The Social Ecological Model

Physical activity behaviour change - A wide range of strategies are designed to impact on mediators of physical activity, with the end goal of increasing physical activity, or maintaining physical activity behaviour (providing it is sufficient).

School based cycling program

Physical activity promotion There are multiple levels of influence on physical activity, making it very complex to target. The most effective physical activity intervention target changes in four levels; - individual (intrapersonal) -social (interpersonal) - physical environment - policy

Physical activity promotion Promotional strategies can be classified into two major categories, individual and population level. Different strategies may be used depending on the level of change being targeted, and these may be applied within a settings-based approach. A settings-based approach occurs when a promotional strategy is delivered within a defined geographical area or community, such as a workplace, school or within a family.

Individual based strategies Print and web based media Counselling Processes of change

Population based strategies Mass media Policy Environmental change

Social-ecological model The factors that influence physical activity do not usually do so in isolation, instead a combination of factors may be at play. Previously, the models used to inform physical activity interventions were individual theories, however in recent decades there has been a shift towards models with a ecological aspect. Ecology = is the study of the relationships that living organisms have with each other and their natural environment

Social-ecological model An ecological perspective suggests reciprocal causation between the individual and the environment, i.e. individual behaviour can influence the environment, and the environment can influence individual behaviour. No single factor on its own will lead to behavioural change for all people, or even one person. Behavioural change is a complex process and involves the interaction of a number of variables.

SOM influences on physical activity

SOM depiction

Multiple levels of influence Individual factors Individual factors, for example attitudes, behaviour, self-concept, behavioural skills and knowledge. Intervention strategies might include; - educational programs - support groups - organisational incentives directed at individuals - counselling - mass media

Multiple levels of influence Social environment Social environmental factors, for example family, work, school and social groups. Intervention strategies might include; changing culture social norms/influences

Multiple levels of influence Physical environment Physical environmental factors can be divided into two areas, natural and constructed. Natural features include things like trees, water, grasslands and wildlife, all things that can make an area attractive to be active in. Constructed features include things like ovals, gyms, courts, fields, grandstands, changing rooms, pools, car parks etc. Intervention strategies may be things like improving accessibility by introducing walking paths and ramps, building near a specific target group, such as a school, shopping centre or aged care facility and traffic calming to improve safety for pedestrians.

Multiple levels of influence Organisational/settings and policy change Organisational change refers to places where there are regulations, guidelines or governance of operation, such as a school, university of work place. Organisational intervention strategies could include making changes to staff benefits by subsidising gym membership, promoting staff/school activities like ride to work day or creating links between the organisation and local recreational facilities.

Organisational/setting and policy change Social ecological policies relate to the governance of incentives, resources and infrastructures of activity or inactivity. Policy interventions examples, students in Years 7-10 must receive at least 100 mins of P.E each week or 40km speed limits and schools to encourage students to walk to school.

Tailoring social economic models Social economic models need to be tailor made for each behaviour or health condition. They need to be tailored to the needs, attitudes, behaviours and interests of a specific population. For example, children, adults and elderly will all perform different physical activity in different settings with different equipment. Read through the TAAG social economic model and write a summary of the intervention strategies used in that scenario.