The effects of a physical inactivity-related health risk message intervention on changes in risk perceptions and physical activity in middle-aged women

The study investigated the effects of the physical inactivity-related health risk message intervention on changes in risk perception for diseases. Forty-one women participated in the 16-week intervention. During this period, the study participants’ physical activity, risk perceptions, and objective risk factors were measured. Results indicated that the intervention had a significant effect on improving perceived health risk of heart disease and obesity. Moreover, changes in perceived risk showed significant effect on changes in physical activity over the 16-week intervention. The study provided both theoretical and practical implications for perceived health risk as a predictor of physical activity.