Physical activity (PA) is one of the best predictors of sustained weight loss and current guidelines recommend high levels of PA to prevent weight regain after weight loss. However, long-term adherence to PA is generally poor when adults with overweight/obesity are provided an exercise prescription consistent with current guidelines. Thus, it is essential to evaluate novel strategies to enhance adoption and maintenance of PA in adults with overweight/obesity. The overall goal of this mentored F32 application is to use mixed methods research to optimize an innovative, theoretically based PA intervention designed to enhance motivation for exercise in adults with overweight/obesity. Specifically, the objectives of this proposal are to evaluate and optimize a theory-based PA intervention (called MOVE) designed to enhance motivation for exercise as a sub-study of an ongoing weight loss parent trial (COMIRB, Protocol #17-0369). In Aim 1, adults from an ongoing behavioral weight loss trial (R01DK111622) will receive the MOVE intervention and participate in focus groups to explore how participants experience MOVE. In Aim 2, we will use a mixed methods convergent design to integrate quantitative results from a secondary data analysis and qualitative results (Aim 1) to optimize MOVE in preparation for a full evaluation of MOVE in a future randomized controlled study.
The limited success of our current approaches to increase adoption and maintenance of physical activity in adults with overweight and obesity is a substantial barrier to effectively address the current obesity epidemic. This mentored F32 application addresses the significant public health issue of obesity and associated risk of major chronic diseases by using mixed methods research to optimize an innovative, theoretically based physical activity intervention designed to enhance motivation for exercise in adults with overweight and obesity.