Abstract

This exploratory study examines the relationship between health literacy (HL) and physical activity (PA) using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in order to better understand their connection and to test for mediating effects of TPB. Participants (N = 65) were assessed using the REALM, newly developed questions related to PA literacy and accelerometers. The results of this study show that even after controlling for covariates HL and PA are significantly linked (r = 0.37, p < 0.01), yet the TPB constructs were not found to mediate this relationship. However, Perceived Behavioral Control (r = 0.29, p < 0.05) and Intention to Exercise (r = 0.29, p < 0.05) were associated with HL. Difficulty Reading was cited as a barrier to PA for those with lower HL (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). Finally, HL was found to be a significant mediator of the Education-PA relationship (β = 0.022, t = 4.53, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.17). These findings are relevant to creating equitable and comprehensive promotion of PA and to understanding the mechanisms involved in PA disparities, highlighting concerns about education, perceived control, and reading ability in relation among low health literate individuals. These findings also support the need for health promoters and researchers to work with communities known to be at risk for low HL in the community to create opportunities for community member input and relevance in program development and research.