Facilitation of the Motivational Pathway Linking Physical Activity and Eating Behavior in Children: A Longitudinal Study Based on Self-Determination Theory.

Objective: To address the lack of empirical studies exploring whether autonomous motivation (i.e., engaging in a behavior with a full sense of volition and choice) toward physical activity (AutMot PA) and eating behavior (AutMot Eat) are linked in children. Specifically, this study tested reciprocal and moderated cross-behavioral motivational pathways between these behaviors based on self-determination theory.

Design: A 7-month longitudinal study with 2 measurement times (T1 and T2).

Setting: Children from French primary schools.

Participants: A sample of 180 children aged 7-11 years (mean age, 9.8 ± 0.56 years).

Variables measured: Children's AutMot PA and AutMot Eat, eating behavior, and physical activity (PA) practice assessed by questionnaire.

Analysis: Path analyses to explore determinants of eating behavior and PA practice at T2.

Results: Analyses revealed no significant reciprocal link over time between AutMot PA and AutMot Eat (P > 0.05). However, a significant interaction between AutMot PA and AutMot Eat at T1 on AutMot Eat at T2 was found (β = 0.17, P = 0.02). AutMot PA at T1 was significantly linked to AutMot Eat at T2 (β = 0.47, P = 0.02), but only when the level of AutMot Eat at T1 was high.

Conclusions and implications: Although motivational transfer between PA and eating behavior is not systematic in children, interventions aiming to promote both behaviors may benefit from first strengthening AutMot Eat, as it may facilitate the motivational pathway from PA to eating behavior.