Table 1.

Definitions and examples of BCTs and delivery/context components associated with increased or decreased effectiveness

7	BCT or delivery/context component	Definition *BCT numbers, labels and definitions are taken from BCTV1 [14]	Example from interventions included in the review
Increased effectiveness DIET	2.3 Self-monitoring of behaviour*	Establish a method for the person to monitor and record their behaviour(s) as part of a behaviour change strategy*	In Keyserling et al. [27], participants recorded daily fruit and vegetables consumed each day using a diary to help them increase this
	HOW: Face-to-face component included (yes)	For studies with personal contact, whether or not this personal contact was conducted face-to-face (instead of e.g. over telephone)	Emmons et al. [28] included a counselling session in-person with a health advisor using motivational interviewing approaches to help support them to eat more healthily
	Number of behaviours targeted (multiple focus)	Whether the study aimed to change one behaviour (e.g. diet only) or multiple behaviours (e.g. diet and physical activity)	Jackson et al. [29] focused on participants making healthy changes to both diet and physical activity
Decreased effectiveness DIET	2.2 Feedback on behaviour*	Monitor and provide informative or evaluative feedback on performance of the behaviour (e.g. form, frequency, duration, intensity)*	Elder et al. [36] provided individualised written feedback to participants from an earlier assessment e.g. their current diet compared to national norms
	7.1 Prompts and cues*	Introduce or define environmental or social stimulus with the purpose of prompting or cueing the behaviour. The prompt or cue would normally occur at the time or place of performance*	Participants in Tessaro et al.’s study [30] received a portion magnet and wheel to put in their kitchen to remind them of healthy portion sizes
	5.6 Information about emotional consequences*	Provide information (e.g. written, verbal, visual) about emotional consequences of performing the behaviour*	Gans et al. [37] included a video with testimonials from members of the target audience, who emphasised that eating healthier helps in feeling good about yourself and feeling better
Increased effectiveness PHYSICAL ACTIVITY	8.1 Behavioral practice/ rehearsal*	Prompt practice or rehearsal of the performance of the behaviour one or more times in a context or at a time when the performance may not be necessary, in order to increase habit and skill*	Marcus et al. [31] included tailored written mailings which advised participants, for example, to make time for a ten minute walk one or two times each week, to help them build confidence that they can make exercise part of their weekly routine
	4.1 Instruction on how to perform a behavior*	Advise or agree on how to perform the behaviour (includes ‘Skills training’)*	Dangour et al.’s physical activity program for older adults [32] included physical activity group training sessions where trained instructions guided participants in how to conduct activities e.g. warming up, chair stands, modified squats and arm pull-ups with rubber bands.
	WHERE: Study setting (community or at home, not in health setting)	Whether the study was set in the community, a health setting or at participants’ home	Olvera et al.’s 12 week exercise program [33] took place in community centres in the park, park playgrounds and grocery stores, as well as at school facilities, e.g. the school gym, playground or cafeteria
	Number of behaviors targeted (single focus)	Whether the study aimed to change one behavior (e.g. physical activity only) or multiple behaviours (e.g. diet and physical activity)	Dutton et al.’s intervention [34] focused solely on increasing women’s physical activity
Decreased effectiveness PHYSICAL ACTIVITY	4.2 Information about antecedents*	Provide information about antecedents (e.g. social and environmental situations and events, emotions, cognitions) that reliably predict performance of the behaviour*	Chang et al. [35] provided examples of triggers relating to eating and being active in the environment as part of their behaviour change intervention