A social cognitive approach to tackle inactivity and obesity in young Australians

In 2004/5, 62% of men, 45% of women and 19%–23% of children and adolescents in Australia were overweight or obese [Australian Bureau of Statistics. 4364.0 — 2004/5 National Health Survey Summary of Results. Viewed March 2007, 2006a]. The worldwide societal changes particularly in the adoption of more sedentary lifestyles have been marked as a major contributor to the obesity epidemic. Surprisingly little is known about what the underlying cognitions that are associated with increasing levels of sedentary behavior among adults are, specifically those aged 18–24 years. With this understanding, social marketing campaigns and government policies can enlist a change in consumers' behaviors towards a reduction in sedentary behavior, reducing their risk of obesity and all-cause mortality. A self-administered survey was completed by a sample of 310 young respondents. Major findings from this study indicate that: this group of 18–24 year olds engages in sedentary activities for almost eight hours per day and their cognitive behaviors are independent of personal characteristics such as age, gender and weight