Predictors of lapse and relapse in physical activity and dietary behaviour: a systematic search and review on prospective studies

Eline Roordink, Ingrid Steenhuis, Willemieke Kroeze, L.J. Schoonmade, Falko F. Sniehotta, Maartje M. van Stralen

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

    9 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Objective: Behaviour change maintenance seems to be difficult for many people. To prevent people from relapsing, insight into determinants of relapse is needed. We synthesized the evidence on predictors of lapse and relapse in physical activity and dietary behaviour change. Design: Prospective studies in adults aged ≥18 years were identified from systematic searches in PsycINFO, PubMed and Cinahl. Methodological quality was analysed, and data were synthesized narratively. Main outcome measures: Lapse and relapse in physical activity and dietary behaviour. Results: 37 articles were included. For several predictors, evidence for an association was found, with self-efficacy as the only consistent predictor across the different outcomes, predicting both lapse and relapse in physical activity, and relapse in dietary behaviour. For most other variables, evidence for prospective relationships with lapse and relapse was insufficient. Conclusion: Most predictors on lapse and relapse were not examined frequently enough to draw conclusions from; many predictors were studied only once or had inconclusive evidence. To be able to provide more substantiated conclusions, more high-quality research is needed. Practitioners and intervention programs could focus on sustainability of behaviour change, by targeting the outcome of interest and its relevant predictors by using behaviour change techniques that have proven effective.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)623-646
    Number of pages24
    JournalPsychology and Health
    Volume38
    Issue number5
    Early online date1 Dec 2021
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2023

    Keywords

    • Review
    • dietary behaviour
    • lapse
    • physical activity
    • relapse

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