Using the Multitheory Model to Predict Initiation and Sustenance of Physical Activity Behavior Among Osteopathic Medical Students.

CONTEXT: The multitheory model (MTM) is a newly developed fourth-generation theoretical framework that addresses both initiation and sustenance of health behavior change. Studies have shown that the MTM is efficacious in predicting a range of health behaviors.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of the MTM in predicting initiation and sustenance of physical activity behavior among osteopathic medical students.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a volunteer convenience sample was recruited from an osteopathic medical school student population at a university in the southeastern region of the United States. An online survey was used to collect self-reported data on sociodemographic information and MTM constructs. Multiple linear regression using the enter method for modeling was performed to determine the predictive ability of the MTM constructs.
RESULTS: Of the 135 participants, 52.6% were women and 67.7% were white. The initiation model explained 25.8% of the variance (adjusted R2=0.238). Behavioral confidence was a statistically significant predictor of initiation of physical activity behavior change. The sustenance model explained 41.7% of the variance (adjusted R2=0.402). Changes in social environment and emotional transformation were statistically significant predictors of sustenance of physical activity behavior change.
CONCLUSION: The MTM appears to be a robust theoretical framework for designing behavior change interventions to increase physical activity among osteopathic medical students.