The Relationships between Delivery Agents' Physical Activity Level and the Likelihood of Implementing a Physical Activity Program

Abstract

Purpose. To determine the relationships between delivery agents' physical activity characteristics and subsequent adoption of a physical activity promotion program for community implementation. Methods. Agents responsible for county health promotion in Kansas (n = 91; 94.5% women; mean age = 43.0 ± 11) completed interviews that assessed physical activity self-efficacy, value, and participation. Subsequent implementation of a physical activity program was monitored. The response rate was 100%. Results. Fifty-five percent of the agents met Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for physical activity, 35% were active but did not meet CDC recommendations, and 10% were inactive. On the basis of logistic regression analysis (Wald statistic = 7.63; p < .05), agents who met recommendations were more likely to adopt the program for their county (69%) than were agents who were less active (41%) and inactive (11%). Discussion. The data suggest that increasing the proportion of delivery agents who meet the CDC recommendations for physical activity could be related with a higher proportion of communities implementing physical activity programs.