A STUDY TO EXAMINE SELF-EFFICACY, SELF-REGULATION AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO OVERWEIGHT PATIENTS WHO UTILIZE A HEALTH COACH

The purpose of this study was to examine whether there was a positive effect on overweight individuals who utilized an exercise coach. It also explored the relationships of self-efficacy (SE) and self-regulation (SR) to exercise adherence in normal-weight and overweight individuals. A comparative descriptive design was used to study adult patients in a family practice clinic who were selected by convenience sampling during a routine visit. At that time, participants completed surveys that measured levels of general SE and exercise SR along with a demographic questionnaire. Tools utilized were the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Self-Regulation Questionnaire for Exercise, and a self-report demographic questionnaire. Statistical analysis was completed to determine whether there was a positive effect on exercise adherence in overweight individuals who utilized an exercise coach. In addition, statistical interpretations were used to determine whether there was a relationship between SE, SR, and exercise adherence in normal- weight and overweight individuals. The results indicated a significant relationship between SR and exercise adherence but no significant relationship between SE and exercise adherence. Due to sample size, the study was unable to determine whether there was a positive effect on exercise adherence in overweight individuals who utilized an exercise coach iii In conclusion, those who had high levels of exercise adherence were high self-regulators but did not necessarily have high levels of general SE. The study was unable to determine whether there was a positive effect on overweight individuals who used an exercise coach