Abstract
In this study, we tried to develop and implement a program for walking that included diet and nutrition-related information as a gateway for behavioral change. An effective physical activity intervention should accelerate from pre-action stages into action stages. However, it may be difficult to have a population showing lower readiness for physical activity, such as subjects in pre-action stages start an exercise program, because they have no cognition of the need for or interest in exercise or physical activity. Therefore, we developed a unique intervention program for walking, including information regarding diet and nutrition, which is mostly adopted as a health seeking behavior in Japan. Moreover in this intervention program, we utilized behavioral theories and skills to enhance the adoption and maintenance of physically active lifestyles. Indeed, we instructed them on goal setting and self-monitoring, as behavioral skills, so that they could comply with the intervention program..
The result of this study showed that the frequency of walking session per week significantly increased from 1.31 (baseline) to 3.31 (post-intervention) . And after 4 month on the program, this variable was even higher compared to the baseline value. This result suggested that diet and nutrition-related information was a potential gateway for compliance and that this intervention program, including behavioral skills was effective to enhance the adoption and maintenance of physically active lifestyles.
