EVALUATION OF INDIVIDUALS’ HEALTH BELIEF ATTITUDES TOWARD EXERCISE

This study aims to evaluate individuals’ health belief attitudes toward exercise. The study population consisted of literate individuals aged 18 to 65 residing in the city center of Çanakkale; with a sample of 415 volunteers who agreed to participate. Data were collected using a descriptive information form and the health belief attitudes scale toward exercise. SPSS 27 was used for data analysis. Although 97.3% of participants believed that exercise is beneficial, only 38.6% reported exercising regularly. The total scale score of participants aged 41 to 50 (105.47 ± 24.34) was significantly lower than that of other age groups. Married participants had significantly lower health belief attitude scores toward exercise (110.38 ± 23.03) compared to single participants. The study also found that higher education levels were associated with more positive health belief attitudes. Participants whose income was lower than their expenses had lower scores (110.56 ± 22.40). Total scores were significantly higher among those who exercised regularly and believed in the benefits of exercise. The study recommends implementing awareness-raising initiatives through intersectoral collaboration, developing risk prediction tools for early detection of chronic diseases, leveraging digital health technologies with the support of physiotherapists to educate the public, and incorporating green spaces and walking areas suitable for exercise into urban planning.