Behavioral and Social Approaches to Increase Physical Activity: Family-Based Social Support

Task Force Finding*

These interventions attempt to change health behavior through strategies that increase the support of family members for behavioral change. The intent is to create and facilitate behavioral patterns, social interactions, and family norms that support greater levels of physical activity. These interventions target environmental factors and interpersonal and behavioral patterns. Typical elements include setting up behavioral “contracts” between family members as well as goal-setting, problem-solving, and other family behavioral management techniques. Interventions may be targeted to families with children or to couples without children. Programs typically include educational sessions on health, goal-setting, and problem-solving; family behavioral management; or both educational sessions and behavioral management. The programs may also incorporate some physical activities. Interventions directed toward children and their families are often implemented as part of a more comprehensive approach that includes school-based interventions, such as school-based PE or classroom-based health education. In these instances, the family component is often seen as an adjunct to the school activities, involving take-home packets, reward systems, and family record keeping. These interventions may also include family-oriented special events.

The Task Force identified 11 qualifying studies that evaluated the effect of family-based social support programs on physical activity levels and physical fitness. Because results across the body of evidence were inconsistent, the Task Force could not reach a conclusion about the effectiveness of these programs in improving physical activity levels and physical fitness.

*From the following publication:

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Recommendations to increase physical activity in communities. [PDF - 70KB] Am J Prev Med 2002;22 (4S):67-72.

Review completed: February 2001