Abstract
Background: Physical inactivity enhances the risk of adverse health conditions such as non-communicable diseases, morbidity, and mortality among middle- and older-aged population. This study is aimed to design, implement, and evaluate a conceptual model of physical activity (PA) promotion among middle-aged Iranian women (MAIW).Methods: An interventional study was conducted with 80 women aged between 30 and 59 years in intervention and control groups during 2018-2019. The subjects referred to health centers were selected by the available convenience sampling method. Data collection tools to assess the MAIW' PA level (metabolic equivalent tasks (MET)-min/week) included face-to-face interviews, body mass index (BMI) measurements, the four-question form of PA vital signs in the framework of Iran's Package of Essential Non-communicable (IraPEN) program, and the questionnaire is based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs.Results: The intervention led to a three-fold increase in the average PA (from 280.63 to 927.70 MET-min/week) of the intervention group. Although no significant difference in the BMI between both groups was found before the intervention, this educational program decreased the mean BMI from 30.36 to 28.83 kg/m2 (p = 0.01). After the intervention, the values of HBM-based perceived sensitivity/severity and self-efficacy were increased from 62.09 to 71.03% and from 27.01 to 83.15%, respectively (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the cue to action and perceived benefits and barriers after the intervention.Conclusion: The developed model by increasing the motivation of MAIW could remarkably improve the PA level with a decrease in their BMI. Trial register Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20200717048124N1 at 2020-08-05, retrospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]