Background: There is limited evidence for successful weight gain prevention interventions targeting young adults. Developing effective interventions necessitates a theoretical model that can identify barriers and enablers for healthy eating and physical activity among young adults to support weight management. This study empirically examines the utility of the COM-B model as a framework for intervention planning across two behavioural contexts: eating and physical activity.Methods: A cross-sectional survey research design was employed to empirically test the COM-B model in the contexts of young adult’s eating and physical activity behaviours. Informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework, pre-validated measures appropriate for capturing the latency of the COM (Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation) constructs were sourced. Both surveys (eating and physical activity) were administered online to two independent samples of young adults aged 18–35 years. Models were specified and tested using structural equation modelling.Results: A total of 582 (mean age = 22.8 years; 80.3% female) and 455 (mean age = 24.9 years; 80.8% female) participants were included in the physical activity and eating analyses, respectively. The COM-B model explained 31% of variance in physical activity behaviour and 23% of variance in eating behaviour. In the physical activity model (N = 582), capability and opportunity were found to be associated with behaviour through the mediating effect of motivation. In the eating model (N = 455), capability was found to be associated with behaviour through the mediating effect of motivation. Capability was also found to mediate the association between opportunity and motivation. Consistencies and variations were observed across both models in terms of COM indicators.Conclusions: Findings support the COM-B model’s explanatory potential in the context of young adult’s physical activity and eating behaviours. Barriers and enablers underlying young adult’s physical activity and eating behaviours were identified that represent potential targets for future intervention design. Further research is needed to validate present study findings across different populations and settings.

Journal of Medical Internet Research - International Scientific Journal for Medical Research, Information and Communication on the Internet #Preprint #PeerReviewMe: Warning: This is a unreviewed preprint. Readers are warned that the document has not been peer-reviewed by expert/patient reviewers or an academic editor, may contain misleading claims, and is likely to undergo changes before final publication, if accepted, or may have been rejected/withdrawn. Readers with interest and expertise are encouraged to sign up as peer-reviewer, if the paper is within an open peer-review period. Please cite this preprint only for review purposes or for grant applications and CVs (if you are the author). Background: Young adulthood is a vulnerable period for unhealthy lifestyle adoption and excess weight gain. Scant attention has been focused on developing and evaluating effective weight gain prevention strategies for this age-group. Electronic health (eHealth) offers potential as a cost-effective solution with the capability to deliver convenient, individually-tailored, and contextually-meaningful interventions at scale. Objective: The primary aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of eHealth weight management interventions targeting young adults (aged 18 – 35 years). A secondary aim was to assess the quality of the current evidence base to inform future research and ensure future interventions are informed by rigorous and robust research findings. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search strategy was executed across 14 electronic databases: CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Embase, Emerald, ERIC, MEDLINE, Ovid, ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently assessed records for eligibility: published in English (1980 to July 2017), evaluating eHealth weight management interventions targeting young adults (aged 18 – 35 years). Following this, data were extracted from studies that met the inclusion criteria. The methodological quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project’s (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool. A narrative synthesis of effectiveness was then completed. At all stages, data were checked for accuracy by a third independent reviewer, with any discrepancies resolved through discussion. Results: Out of the 985 studies assessed for eligibility, 25 met the criteria for inclusion and were included in the narrative synthesis. Overall, eight studies reported positive weight-related outcomes (e.g. prevention of weight gain or the reversal of small weight gains), four reported mixed effects, and 12 did not report any significant changes compared with control groups. One study reported descriptive results only. According to the EPHPP Quality Assessment Tool, overall 22 studies were rated weak, three as moderate, and none as strong. Conclusions: Findings highlight the limited evidence base for successful eHealth weight management interventions targeting young adults. The large heterogeneity across intervention designs and outcomes necessitate further research to create a cumulative knowledge base of what works and what does not for weight management among this at-risk group. The quality of the evidence was generally assessed as weak. Future studies should aim to employ representative sampling and adopt strategies to increase participation and retention rates.

Inconsistencies are evident in definitions and interpretations of theory, application of theory, and reporting of theory use within the behaviour change field impeding cumulative knowledge advancement. Standardised frameworks and methods are needed to support the definition, application, and reporting of theory, and to assist researchers in understanding how theory should be applied to build cumulative knowledge over time. Progress is being made with the development of ontologies, taxonomies, methods for mapping interventions, and coding schemes; however, consolidation is needed to improve levels and quality of theory use, and to facilitate the translation of theory-driven research in practice. This paper discusses the importance of rigorous theory application and reporting in health-related behaviour change research and outlines the need for a standardised framework that supports both researchers and practitioners in designing, implementing, and evaluating theory-driven interventions in a concrete and consistent manner. To this end, several recommendations are provided to facilitate the development of a standardised framework that supports theory application and reporting in the behaviour change field. Concrete and consistent theory application and reporting will permit critical appraisal within and across studies, thereby advancing cumulative knowledge of behaviour change over time.

This review assesses theory reporting and use in eHealth weight management interventions targeting young adults aged 18-35 years. Twenty-four eligible studies were identified. Two independent reviewers extracted data and coded for theory use using the Theory Coding Scheme. Overall, the mean total use of theory score was 6/23 (SD = 5; Min. = 0, Max. = 17); 17 studies were classified as having weak application of theory, five as moderate, and two as strong. The majority (N = 18) of studies mentioned theory, however, most (N = 14) did not report how intervention techniques related to theoretical base. No study used theory to select intervention recipients and only four used theory to tailor intervention techniques to recipients. Limited studies reported theory testing (N = 6) and no study used intervention results to build and/or refine theory. Results indicate that outcomes may be enhanced when at least one or more theoretical constructs are explicitly linked to an intervention technique and that effectiveness may be enhanced when theoretical constructs are included in evaluations. Increases in theory reporting and use are needed to assist the scientific research community in systematically identifying which theories work, for whom, how, and when; thereby delivering an advanced understanding on how best to apply theory to enhance intervention outcomes.

Purpose: Theory remains underused in social marketing despite many potential benefits that may arise if theory is concretely and consistently applied. In response to ongoing calls for standardised frameworks and methods, this study aims to present a four-step theory application process with the aim of supporting improved theory use across the entire social marketing process. Design/methodology/approach: The role and importance of theory application in behaviour change is outlined alongside an integrative review and critical analysis of theory application in social marketing. To address key challenges impeding rigorous theory use, the theory selection, iterative schematisation, theory testing and explicit reporting of theory use (TITE) four-step theory application process is proposed. Evidence-based guidance, current best practice examples, and a worked example are provided to illustrate how the TITE process may be initially followed. Findings: Low levels and poor quality of theory use suggest social marketing researchers and practitioners need further support in rigorously applying theories across the life of an intervention. The TITE process leverages the known benefits of theory use and capitalises on the reciprocal relationship that may be enacted between theory selection, iterative schematisation, theory testing and explicit reporting of theory use. Research limitations/implications: The TITE process delivers a standardised framework that aims to stimulate rigorous theory application and explicit reporting of theory use in social marketing. Clear theory application and reporting will permit a more fine-grained understanding of intervention effectiveness to be established by shifting away from a simple dichotomous view of effectiveness (success or failure) to unpacking the “active ingredients” contributing to observed outcomes. Practical implications: The evidence-based guidance and best practice examples provided for each step of the TITE process will increase the accessibility and usability of theory among practitioners. With time the TITE process will support practitioners by delivering a robust theory base that can be reliably followed to further extend on social marketing’s effectiveness. Originality/value: This paper draws on interdisciplinary methods and resources to propose a standardised framework – the TITE process – designed to support rigorous theory application and explicit reporting of theory use in social marketing. Refinement, uptake and widespread implementation of the TITE process will improve theory use and support the creation of a shared language, thereby advancing social marketing’s cumulative knowledge base over time.

Research into consumer responses to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives has expanded in the past four decades, yet the evidence thus far provided does not paint a cohesive picture. Results suggest both positive and negative consumer reactions to CSR, and unless such mixed findings can be reconciled, the outcome might be an amalgamation of disparate empirical results rather than a coherent body of knowledge. The current meta-analysis therefore tests whether the mixed findings might reflect consumers’ distinct, altruistic inferences across various contingency factors. On the basis of 337 effect sizes, involving 584,990 unique respondents, in 162 studies published between 1996 and 2021, this study reveals that altruistic inferences are central to the current CSR paradigm, such that they mediate the effects of CSR initiatives on consumer responses across multiple contingencies. The mediation by altruistic inferences is stronger (weaker) in conditions favorable to dispositional (situational) motive attributions. Furthermore, consumers respond more favorably to cause marketing or philanthropy rather than business-related CSR initiatives, when the initiative is environmental (vs. social), the firm’s offering is utilitarian (vs. hedonic), the CSR initiative takes place in self-expressive (vs. survival) cultures and in earlier (vs. later) periods. These findings offer several ethical implications, and they inform both practical recommendations and an agenda for further research directions.