Expectancy Beliefs and Values Underlying Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Physical Activity in Middle Eastern Female College Students

Background: This study examined the associations between expectancy beliefs and values, cardiometabolic risk factors represented by body composition and blood pressure (BP), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in Middle Eastern female college students. Methods: The study involved 221 female college students (mean = 20.63 [0.35] y) from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Measures included test and retest questionnaires for expectancy beliefs and values; devices to measure MVPA; a body composition analyzer to determine fat, muscle, and bone mass; and BP monitors. Path models were adopted to test the relationships between the study variables. Results: The path models revealed that expectancy beliefs were negatively associated with fat mass, as well as with muscle and bone mass. Expectancies for success are inversely correlated with systolic BP but positively with fat mass. Additionally, the importance value was positively linked with fat, muscle, and bone mass. Higher interest value correlated with increased MVPA. The models significantly explained the variations in expectancy beliefs (model 1: R² = .37/Model 2: R² = .28), expectancies for success (.32/.23), importance (.56/.22), interest (.21/.22), usefulness (.19/.22), cost (.23/-), fat mass (.25/-), systolic BP (.16/-), and MVPA (-/.07). Discussion: The complex interactions suggested that higher expectancy beliefs and expectations do not automatically result in better health outcomes, such as reduced fat mass and increased muscle mass. The study emphasizes the importance of targeted, multifaceted approaches to enhancing health behavior and MVPA among Middle Eastern female college students.