Overview of Research Program
The study of motivational, self-regulatory, and behavioral predictors of healthful eating, physical activity, and weight control .
The design, evaluation and implementation of health behavior change (HBC) interventions, using self-regulation and motivation theory, namely self-determination theory.
The role of physical activity/exercise behaviors in weight management, namely its association with weight-related outcomes, body image, and psychological well-being.
Developing measurement instruments to capture self-regulation, motivation, physical activity/exercise, and eating behaviors, building a national repository available in open and free access.
Highlighted Projects
Highlighted Publications
Wyke, S., Bunn, C., Andersen, E., Silva, M., van Nassau, F., McSkimming, P., et al. (2019). The effect of a program to improve men's sedentary time and physical activity: The European Fans in Training (EuroFIT) randomized controlled trial. PLoS Medicine, 16(2): e1002736. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002736
Highlighted News
World Physical Activity Day
On the World Physical Activity Day (6th April), the Order of Portuguese Psychologists launched a new edition of the "Dialogues of Psychology" dedicated to physical activity with many practical tips to keep moving and with good energy levels in this phase of isolation. Marlene Silva from PANO-SR team moderated the session, with the participation of António Palmeira (also a PANO-SR team member) and Rute Santos (from the Health Directorate-General).
Champ4life Study Protocol: A One-Year Randomized Controlled Trial of a Lifestyle Intervention for Inactive Former Elite Athletes with Overweight/Obesity
A new article on a preventive and educational program directed to former elite athletes was recently released. PANO-researchers Ines Santos, Eliana Carraça e Marlene N Silva were co-authors, involved in intervention implementation and description. The CHAMPS4LIFE is an evidence- and theory-based program using a randomized control trial design and aims to promote sustained healthy lifestyle behaviours in the post-career transition.
Development of digital tools to facilitate PA promotion in primary health care published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Marlene N Silva, Catarina Silva and Pedro Teixeira from PANO-SR team authored a scientific article on the development and implementation of three digital tools to facilitate PA promotion in primary health care (PHC): 1) a PA brief assessment tool incorporated in the electronic health record platform “SClínico Cuidados de Saúde Primários“; 2) a brief counselling tool developed in the software “PEM—Prescrição Eletrónica Médica” (electronic medical prescription); and 3) a “Physical Activity Card” incorporated in an official NHS smartphone app called “MySNS Carteira”. These tools, developed according to best-practices and state of the art behavioural science, represent key actions to promote PA among Portuguese citizens using PHC as a priority setting.
Expert Consensus Article on Self-Determination Theory Techniques to Be Published in Motivation Science
The article "Classification of Techniques Used in Self-Determination Theory-Based Interventions in Health Contexts: An Expert Consensus Study" has now been accepted for publication in APA's Motivation Science. Involving a large number of experts in self-determination theory (SDT), it presents the first consensus-based set of motivation and behavior change techniques based on SDT. It focuses on health contexts and behaviors, such as physical activity and eating.
Marta Marques a co-author in innovative paper on techniques to self-manage motivation and behaviour
Marta Marques, PANO researcher, collaborated in the development of the compendium of self-enactable techniques to change and self-manage motivation and behaviour. The paper was co-authored with Kegan Knittle, Martin Hagger and Nelli Hankonen among others. The authors did scoping reviews of literature and used taxonomies to bring together 123 techniques, each of which is labelled, defined and presented with instructive examples to facilitate self-enactment. The preprint manuscript version can be found in the attachment link. Enjoy the "behind the paper" article HERE.
Catarina Paixão completed her master degree in Public Health
Catarina Paixão, research assistant at the PANO-SR Research Group, successfully defended (18 val.) her master thesis at the National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon. Her research work consisted in a systematic review about the weight control registries, more specifically by identifying the characteristics of weight control registries, key sociodemographic, cognitive and behavioural characteristics of successful weight loss maintainers, as well as correlates of weight loss maintenance, providing evidence-based clues for future public health and obesity prevention and treatment initiatives. Congratulations, Catarina!
