Psychol Health. 2026 Feb 5:1-12. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2026.2625705. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Beliefs about the genetic contribution to chronic disease risk may be associated with lower levels of physical activity, but this relationship has yet to be tested in young healthy adults. We examined genetic causal beliefs about disease and self-reported moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) among young healthy US adults.
METHODS AND MEASURES: Data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5, Cycle 4; 2020) were analysed. The analytic sample was aged 18-39 years, with no history of cardiometabolic or lung disease and good/very good/excellent self-rated health (n = 439). Participants reported how much they think genetics determine risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
RESULTS: Young healthy US adults with low genetic beliefs about diabetes were less likely to be inactive (aOR = 0.1, 95% CI: 0.04-0.5) or somewhat active (aOR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1-0.7) than those with moderate genetic beliefs. Those with low genetic beliefs about obesity were less likely to be somewhat active (aOR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.9) than those with moderate genetic beliefs. Genetic causal beliefs about CVD were not related to MVPA.
CONCLUSION: Additional research is needed to understand the complex interplay between beliefs about the heritability of cardiometabolic health and MVPA levels in young healthy US adults.
PMID:41641479 | DOI:10.1080/08870446.2026.2625705