Abstract
Aim
It is commonly observed that individuals transition into and out of physical activity behaviours over time. A better understanding of the determinants of these transitions is important in order to develop effective interventions. Our focus is on examining the role of time preference and present bias (how present or future oriented individuals are) in the decision to start, quit and maintain physical activity over time.
Subject and methods
We examine changes in different types of physical activity participation over time, allowing us to distinguish between physical activity initiation versus maintenance. We use data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79).
Results
We show that present bias impacts maintenance but not initiation of physical activity behaviour. The time preference rate impacts maintenance of strengthening exercise in men only.
Conclusion
The results of our study suggest that interventions aimed at overcoming present bias, such as commitment devices in the form of deposit contracts, may be effective in maintaining physical activity but not initiating physical activity.
It is commonly observed that individuals transition into and out of physical activity behaviours over time. A better understanding of the determinants of these transitions is important in order to develop effective interventions. Our focus is on examining the role of time preference and present bias (how present or future oriented individuals are) in the decision to start, quit and maintain physical activity over time.
Subject and methods
We examine changes in different types of physical activity participation over time, allowing us to distinguish between physical activity initiation versus maintenance. We use data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79).
Results
We show that present bias impacts maintenance but not initiation of physical activity behaviour. The time preference rate impacts maintenance of strengthening exercise in men only.
Conclusion
The results of our study suggest that interventions aimed at overcoming present bias, such as commitment devices in the form of deposit contracts, may be effective in maintaining physical activity but not initiating physical activity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 30 |
| Early online date | 16 Jun 2020 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2022 |
Bibliographical note
The Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates funds the Health Economics Research Unit. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors only and not those of the funding body.Keywords
- time preference
- physical activity
- Physical activity
- Time preference
Access to Document
- Eberth_etal_JPH_Is_Time_Preference_VOR
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.