Abstract
Objectives: To develop and refine a scale of motivational factors related to healthy weight achievement and maintenance and to examine differences by gender and weight status. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 300 university students aged 18-24 years. Results: Factor analysis yielded 6 factors - Intrinsic (Cronbach's α=0.73): affective motivation, self-efficacy/ interest; Extrinsic (Cronbach's α=0.68): social reward, peer pressure, lack of choice, and authority influence. Males and normal-weight students showed higher affective motivation and overall intrinsic motivation compared to females and overweight students, (P<.001). Conclusion: Intrinsic motivational factors and gender differences should be considered in developing obesity prevention interventions in this age-group.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 256-263 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | American journal of health behavior |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- College students
- Motivation
- Obesity
- Overweight
- Weight maintenance
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Social Psychology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health