The two authors talk about high rates of physical inactivity among young Taiwanese residents and how this situation affects the status of their health. Adolescents in Taiwan observe sedentary lifestyles and they continue to do so even when they become adults. The article’s arguments are based on a health promotion model which studied benefits, barriers, personal efficacy and interpersonal factors which determine the extent to which Taiwanese youth take part in physical activities. Results obtained from the study revealed that personal efficacy was the most important determinant of physical activity in Taiwanese youth. In addition, the study used a prospective study design to examine causal relationships between crucial predictors of physical activity in Taiwanese youth.
The revised health promotion model used combines nursing and behavioural perspectives to study different factors that impact on health promotion. The two authors insist that proper models which address both direct and indirect influences on health promotion need to be used more by health professionals. The main factors highlighted by this model include; individual characteristics, behaviour specific cognitions and health promoting habits. The sample comprised of 309 male and 284 female eight grade students, from two middle schools in Taipei. The study used the CAAL tool to measure different physical activities undertaken by the adolescents for five days. The perceived self efficacy scale was used to assess personality factors which influenced the adolescents to take part in physical activity. Perceived benefits and obstacles were assessed using a questionnaire which enabled students to respond to different issues they felt favoured or prevented them from taking part in physical activities. Findings obtained from the study revealed that self efficacy was the most important determinant of physical activity in Taiwanese youth. One of the key limitations of the study is that it failed to use objective measures and a sample consisting of diverse subjects to come up with more credible results.