Open AccessObesity as a barrier to physical activity
Author(s) -
Ball Kylie,
Crawford David,
Owen Neville
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-842x.2000.tb01579.x
Subject(s) - overweight , feeling , obesity , physical activity , body mass index , gerontology , association (psychology) , public health , cross sectional study , psychology , medicine , population , perception , environmental health , social psychology , physical therapy , endocrinology , pathology , neuroscience , psychotherapist
OBJECTIVE : To describe perceptions of being ‘too fat’ as a barrier to physical activity by gender and body mass index, and to examine the associations between feeling fat and other weight–related barriers to physical activity. METHODS : Analyses of cross–sectional self–report data from a representative population survey of 2,298 Australian adults. RESULTS : Overall, 4.4% of respondents reported being too fat as a barrier to physical activity; this being more common among women (6.2%), and among the obese (22.6%). Associations were found between being too fat as a barrier, and being too shy or embarrassed to exercise; being too lazy or not motivated; having an injury or disability (males only); and being not the sporty type (females only). There was no association between feeling too fat and poor health. CONCLUSIONS : Feeling too fat to exercise is a common barrier among the overweight, particularly for women. Results suggest gender differences in weight–related barriers to physical activity. IMPLICATIONS : A better understanding of the nature of weight–related physical activity barriers can help inform public health strategies designed to increase physical activity among those who are obese.