Understanding the Mechanisms of Change in Children??s Physical Activity Programs

In Brief There is a lack of understanding of why childhood physical activity interventions succeed or fail. A model is proposed that relates program process to mediating variables and outcomes. Using the model to design and evaluate interventions could result in a greater understanding of the mechanisms of children's physical activity behavior change and how to tailor programs to them. This paper outlines how process evaluation and mediating variables can aid the understanding of mechanisms of children's physical activity behavior change.