The Role of Mothers’ Intentions for Physical Activity Education in Children: A Test of Theory of Planned Behavior

Background: One of the important agents in the development of children physical activity is mothers. Objective: The present study aimed to assessing the role of socio-cognitive determinants in mothers’ intention to physical activity education for children based on the theory of planned behavior. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of mothers who have 3 to 6 old child in the west of Iran, 2018. Participants were randomly selected to participate voluntarily in the study. A structured questionnaire was applied for collecting data and data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 using correlations, and linear regression statistical tests. Results: Mean age of the mothers was 31.68 [95% CI: 31.17, 32.19]. Attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavior control variables predictors accounted for 42% of the variation in the intention of physical activity education for children by mothers. Perceived behavior control (Beta=-0.654 and P≤ 0.001) was the more influential predictor on physical activity education intention. Conclusion: It seems that designing and implementation of educational programs to increase perceived behavior control of mothers regarding the physical activity education for children may be the usefulness of the results in order to the promotion of physical activity among their children.