Factors Predicting Physical Activity Behaviors related to hypertension in overweight male employees: Application of Health Belief Model

Aims: Today, obesity and associated hypertension are among the main health threats and risk factors for the occurrence of many diseases in most developed and developing countries. The present study aimed to determine the predictors of physical activity among a sample of overweight male employees of Urmia offices in the light of the Health Belief Model (HBM). Instrument Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 467 overweight male employees of offices in Urmia City were included between November and March 2021 using simple random sampling. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisting of four sections: demographic features, knowledge questions, HBM constructs, and performance-related questions. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 18 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings:  The results showed statistically significant differences between overweight male employees who engaged in standard physical activities and those who did not, in terms of the mean score of perceived susceptibility (p 0.022), perceived severity (p 0.04), perceived barriers (p 0.001), and perceived self-efficacy (p 0.001) concerning the hypertension prevention behavior. However, this difference was not statistically significant for the perceived benefits construct (p=0.221). Logistic regression analysis results showed that perceived barriers and self-efficacy were significant predictors of physical activity. Conclusion: The HBM constructs can predict physical activity behavior in hypertension. However, more research is needed to confirm other predictors of related behaviors in employees.