What influences nurses eating and physical activity behaviours? A theoretical domains framework informed investigation

Abstract

Background: Our understanding about the determinants of nurses eating and physical activity is limited. The aim of this study was to assess nurses’ perceptions of the relative importance of domains within the theoretical domains framework (TDF) in influencing their eating and physical activity behaviours for weight management. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 16 nurses to explore factors that behavioural theories suggest may influence nurses’ eating and physical activity for weight management followed by a survey of 245 nurses to confirm and generalise the qualitative findings were undertaken. Important theoretical domains were identified using a hybrid process of inductive and deductive content analysis of the qualitative data and descriptive statistics of the survey data. The TDF guided data collection and analysis. Findings: Shift work (theoretical domain of ‘’environmental context and resources’’) and lack of planning strategies (‘’behavioural regulation’’) were identified as important barriers. Important enabling influences included beliefs about benefits (‘’beliefs about consequences’’) and routine (‘’behavioural regulation’’). Discussion: Findings suggest that future efforts to change nurses eating and physical activity for weight management should consider targeting environmental and intrapersonal level factors.