Investigate the factors related to the intention to perform physical activity based on the theory of planned behavior among high school female students of Ahvaz city

Background and Objective: Physical activity is one of the most important aspects of health promotion and one of the predictors of death and disability worldwide. In this study, we aimed to investigate the factors related to intention to perform physical activity based on the theory of planned behavior among high school female students of Ahvaz city, Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive analytical study was performed among 163 high school female students randomly selected from two girls' public schools in Ahvaz, Iran, in 2016. Data were gathered using a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and the theory of planned behavior constructs including attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, and intention. To analyze the data, linear regression analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient were run in SPSS, version 23. Results: The mean age of the participants was 13.76±0.89 years. The regression model showed that the attitude (β=0.46, P<0.001) and perceived behavior control (β=0.15, P<0.05) constructs were predictors of physical activity intention. This model could explain 40% of the variance in physical activity intention. Subjective norms (P<0.057, β=0.14) were not significant predictors of the intention. Conclusion: We recommend using the theory of planned behavior and paying more attention to the attitude construct, as the strongest predictor of intention, in designing educational interventions to promote physical activity among female students.