a structural equation model to predict the social-cognitive determinants related to physical activity in iranian women with diabetes mellitus

background: lifestyle-modification programs including physical activity are essential for both treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus ( t2dm ). however, factors associated with physical activity among patients are poorly understood. this study applied social-cognitive theory (sct) for predicting determinants of physical activity among women with t2dm in iran, 2013. methods: in this cross-sectional study, partial least square path modeling (pls-pm) was used as an estimation technique for structural equation model. this model specified hypotheses between components of social-cognitive theory on physical activity behavior. a random sample of 300 women with t2dm was selected, and completed sct constructs instrument. data were analyzed using statistical software warppls ver. 4.0. results: the model explained 26% of the variance in physical activity. self-regulation, task self-efficacy and barrier self-efficacy were significantly direct predictors of physical activity among women with t2dm. task self-efficacy, social support and modeling had significantly indirect effects on physical activity behavior ( p <0.001). conclusions: our findings showed evidence for adequacy of a theoretical framework that could be used to predict physical activity behavior among women with t2dm.