Young adult males’ motivators and perceived barriers towards eating healthily and being active: a qualitative study

Abstract

BackgroundThere is a lack of understanding of young men’s perspectives in obesity-related research. This study aims to: (1) identify young men’s perceived motivators and barriers in adopting healthy eating and physical activity behaviours, and (2) explore any differences in responses by weight status categories.MethodsTen focus groups (32-63 minutes; 3-9 participants per group) were conducted with 61 young men (BMI: 25.3 ± 5.1 kg/m2, aged: 18-25 years) from the Hunter region, New South Wales, Australia. There were 35 (57.4 %) healthy weight men and 26 (42.6 %) overweight/ obese men. Three groups were with healthy weight participants, three with overweight/obese participants and four with mixed-BMI participants. Sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data analysis was conducted by an independent researcher using NVIVO10.ResultsMotivators for healthy eating grouped into four themes: physical health (e.g. to live longer), sport or performance (e.g. to support their sporting goals), physical appearance (e.g. sexual attractiveness) and social influences (e.g. societal expectations to eat healthy), while key motivators for physical activity were: physical appearance (e.g. sexual attractiveness), social inclusion (e.g. making friends), physical and mental health (e.g. relieve stress) and improvements for sport or performance (e.g. improve fitness). Themes for key barriers to eating healthy were: intrinsic (e.g. perceived effort to adopt healthy eating), logistic (e.g. cost), and social factors (e.g. peer influence), while busy lifestyles (e.g. lack of time), logistic (e.g. cost), cognitive-emotional (e.g. feelings of inferiority) and social factors (e.g. family upbringing) were key barriers for physical activity. Responses varied little by BMI status.ConclusionThis research emphasises the importance of consulting young men when developing healthy lifestyle programs that aim to promote healthy eating and physical activity in young men. Future research is needed to identify the most effective ways to address their motivators and barriers in intervention research.

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the ‘HEYMAN’ healthy lifestyle program for young men: a pilot randomised controlled trial

“…To align with the PRECEDE aspects of the model [32], a number of steps were taken to understand the social, epidemiological, behavioural and environmental assessments for this population group when developing HEYMAN. Formative research with young men was conducted to identify perceived motivators and barriers for healthy eating and physical activity [17, 35] and to identify their preferences for intervention content and delivery medium [36]. In addition, the program was informed by best practice guidelines for diet [37] and physical activity [38], theoretical guidelines from an integrated framework of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) [39] and Self Determination Theory (SDT) [40], and evidence from effective health-related interventions in this population [23, 24].…”

“…In addition, a media release, with information appearing via the local newspaper, magazines and radio stations. Young men who took part in previous participatory research [17, 35] and who indicated an interest in being contacted via e-mail about future health programs were also invited to participate.…”

“…Recruiting, engaging and retaining young men into health-related interventions is an important yet challenging aspect of health research [17–19]. A number of reasons have been suggested regarding challenges to engaging young men including; perceived irrelevance given current life-stage [20], less likely to live in a fixed location, long-term [21], competing time demands which take priority (i.e., study, work, socialising, relationships, family obligations and/or parenthood) [21].…”

Understanding barriers to healthy behaviors in black college men

“…These findings are similar to other research reporting that economics and knowledge impact health behaviors among Black college men. 38-39 Additionally, it has been reported that limited access to healthy food was a barrier to physical activity and healthy eating among college men. 40 Research has also reported that some barriers to healthy eating in young adult males and weight management in males and females were unhealthy food being more accessible and cheaper and the social influence of those around them.…”

“…40 Research has also reported that some barriers to healthy eating in young adult males and weight management in males and females were unhealthy food being more accessible and cheaper and the social influence of those around them. 38,41 Another study reported one barrier to fruit and vegetable consumption in urban, immigrant Black men was their cost and someone else having to prepare the vegetables. 39 Additionally, it was also reported that a higher knowledge about the recommendations for the number of servings of fruits and vegetables was associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption.…”