Perceived barriers to physical activity during and after a behavioural weight loss programme

Abstract

Summary Background Most adults with overweight/obesity participating in behavioural weight loss (BWL) programmes never achieve prescribed physical activity (PA) levels. This study examined changes in PA barriers, their relationships with accelerometer‐measured PA during and after a 12‐month BWL programme, and associations between PA barriers and participant characteristics. Methods Adults (N = 283) in a BWL programme completed the Barriers to Being Active Quiz, a 21‐item self‐report measure that assesses seven perceived PA barriers, and they wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days at baseline and at 6 (midtreatment), 12 (end of treatment), 18 (6‐mo follow‐up), and 24 months (12‐mo follow‐up). Weight and height were measured, and demographic information was collected at baseline. Results Repeated‐measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) revealed a significant quadratic effect of time on total PA barriers, P < .001, such that PA barriers decreased by midtreatment, remained below baseline levels by end of treatment, but increased to near‐baseline levels by follow‐up. Perceived PA barriers were negatively associated with baseline moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA), P < .001, and decreases in perceived PA barriers were related to greater MVPA at 6 (P = .004), 12 (P < .001), and 24 months (P = .007). Participants who were younger, P = .02, and white, P = .009, reported more baseline barriers. Conclusions Perceived PA barriers meaningfully decreased during BWL treatment, which in turn was associated with greater MVPA. This pattern suggests that, on average, BWL effectively addresses perceived PA barriers, which contributes to increased PA. Future research should identify interventions to maintain decreases in barriers after end of treatment.

Mechanisms of an App-Based Physical Activity Intervention and Maintenance in Community-Dwelling Women

“…Barriers for PA for women have been extensively studied in the context of only cross-sectional studies or qualitative studies. 44 Thus, our results add new insights to the literature. This study has several strengths.…”

“…The intervention in this RCT included personalized strategies to overcome participants' barriers during the brief in-person counseling and via the study app. Barriers for PA for women have been extensively studied in the context of only cross-sectional studies or qualitative studies 44 . Thus, our results add new insights to the literature.…”

Correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in adults living with overweight and obesity: A systematic review

“…In total, 42 studies measured PA. Seventeen used objective measurement, 37,39,41-43,45,47,55-59,61,68-71 23 measured self-reported PA, 5,16,38,40,44,46,[48][49][50][52][53][54]60,[62][63][64][65][66][67][72][73][74][75][76] and two measured both. 37,42 Accelerometers were used in 11 studies, 37,[41][42][43]45,47,56,57,59,61,71 activity monitors in five, 39,55,58,69,70 and one study employed pedometry. 68 MVPA (weekly minutes) was the most common device measured PA category (n = 12) followed by step count and (n = 4) and total daily PA (n = 4).…”

Understanding the relationship between subclinical depressive symptoms and physical activity in behavioral weight loss treatment

“…PA barriers (e.g., stress, time, willpower, fatigue) have consistently been shown to be important indicators of exercise participation as they have been negatively associated with PA outside of 19,20 and within BWL. 21,22 Depressive symptoms, such as low self-worth, fatigue, irregular sleep patterns, sadness, and hopelessness, 23 may make goaldirected behavior change seem more challenging or obstacle-ridden thereby influencing perceived or experienced barriers to PA.…”

“…Research is also needed to determine if the perception of PA barriers differs according to level of depressive symptoms. PA barriers (e.g., stress, time, willpower, fatigue) have consistently been shown to be important indicators of exercise participation as they have been negatively associated with PA outside of 19,20 and within BWL 21,22 . Depressive symptoms, such as low self‐worth, fatigue, irregular sleep patterns, sadness, and hopelessness, 23 may make goal‐directed behavior change seem more challenging or obstacle‐ridden thereby influencing perceived or experienced barriers to PA. Research has shown that those with more severe rates of depressive symptoms, most likely indicative of MDD, commonly express barriers to PA related to interest and internal experiences such as motivation, tiredness, and mood, 24 but data from samples with subclinical symptomatology is needed.…”