The Comparison of the Impact of Physical Activity on Cardiovascular Health-Related Behaviors in Male and Female High School Students, Based on the Perceived Benefits and Barriers

Abstract

<strong>Background:</strong> In designing appropriate programs to prevent risky behavioral models in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases, it is highly significant to accurately identify the predictors of cardiovascular health-related behaviors, especially in the teenagers and adults of different genders, a measure enhancing the efficiency of cardiovascular health promotion programs in different societies. <strong>Objectives:</strong> This study was conducted to compare the impact of physical activity on cardiovascular health-related behaviors, based on the perceived benefits and barriers in male and female high school students in Kermanshah. <strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to analyze the predictors of cardiovascular health-related behaviors based on the perceived benefits and barriers. A total number of 500 male and female high school students in Kermanshah recruited in the academic year 2013-2014 through multi-stage random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire including 34 questions classified into 3 sections: demographic information, physical activity model, perceived benefit and barrier, and physical activity. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS-18 software using descriptive and inferential statistics. <strong>Results:</strong> Results showed, there was a statistically significant difference between perceived benefits and barriers of physical activity in both genders (P < 0.05). The students' viewpoints towards perceived barriers to physical activity were different in terms of three different levels of family income with 1% error. Moreover, the findings of the test of homogeneity showed that males had a higher tendency to perform physical activities than females. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> The findings of the study highlighted the role of predictors of perceived benefits and barriers in development of health promotion behaviors such as physical activity. This can help health authorities to prepare a suitable ground for students to perceive the benefits and barriers of healthy behavioral models such as doing physical activity that consequently changes their behavior.