Level, motivation and barriers to participate in physical activity among late adolescents in Puducherry

Abstract

Background One in every ten deaths globally is accounted for by physical inactivity-related risks. Adolescents constitute 18% of the world’s total population and are at risk of becoming physically inactive in the future. Thus, this study aims to find the level of physical activity (PA) among late adolescents and factors that motivate and prevent them from being active. Methodology Four hundred and fifty adolescents in the age group of 18–19 years were included in the study. Standardized self-administered questionnaires such as the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire were used to assess the level of PA and level of motivation, respectively. In addition, barriers to participating in PA were also elicited. Results This study found that about one third of the subjects (32.4%) were physically inactive. The motivation levels were more pooled towards the self-determined motives and girls are more motivated towards PA than boys. However, PA among males is significantly higher than females. Healthy practices in families was also found to have significant association with increased PA. The major barriers found were the excessive use of electronic gadgets and lethargy. Conclusion One third of the adolescents in this study were physically inactive and several barriers that prevent them from taking up PA were elicited. Therefore, efforts should be taken to emphasize the importance of physical activity among individuals, family members and the peers at institutional level and community level so as to lay foundations for healthy lifestyles in the future. Basic prevention in the emergence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like PA is vital to curb the growing burden of chronic diseases in our country.

Stages of Behaviour Change Related to Physical Activity and the Associated Barriers among College-Going Adolescents in Puducherry- Cross Sectional Study

“…Divyasree et al 17 conducted a study among adolescents in Puducherry revealed that one-third of late adolescents are insufficiently physically active in the adolescents was 31% respectively. Studies done by Kumar et al 18 revealed that 64% of the adolescents had an insufficient PA level, but our study supports the fact that late adolescents are doing sufficient physical activity.…”

“…8 The sample size was estimated as 450 based on the prevalence of low physical activity to be 31% from literature. 9 The sample size was calculated to be 836 with 95% confidence and 5% absolute precision, design effect as 2.5 using OpenEpi software. Assuming 10% non-response or incomplete questionnaires, the final 920 sample size was calculated.…”

Assessment of magnitude of physical activity among rural high school children of Nelamangala taluk, Bengaluru: a cross sectional study

“…These findings were in accordance with studies conducted by Kundapur et al in Mangaluru, Guthold et al, Divyasree et al in Puducherry and Esht et al in Punjab. [11][12][13][14] The gender difference may be because parents or family members of a female adolescent discourage them to play outside with fear of harm, bullying or teasing etc. Also, female adolescents may find it difficult to get involved in moderate to vigorous physical activity being in the first…”

Perceived barriers for performing regular physical exercises in non-exercising individuals of the age group 18 to 25 years

“…A questionnaire consisting of 36 items was prepared by the researcher based on review of literature. [5][6][7][8] It was face validated by subject expert faculty members and had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.886). The 36 items were grouped into 6 main categories-Physical, mental, college/ work related, environmental, social and others.…”