Motives, barriers and preferences to physical activity in people with obesity: a systematic review

Abstract

Background. Although the benefits of physical activity (PA) are well known, physical inactivity is high in people with obesity. The objective of this systematic review was to i) appraise knowledge on PA motives, barriers, and preferences in individuals with obesity, and ii) quantify the most frequently reported PA motives, barriers and preferences in this population.Methods. Six databases (Pubmed, CINAHL, Psyarticle, SportDiscus, Web of science and Proquest) were searched until June 2020 by independent reviewers to identify relevant quantitative or qualitative articles reporting PA motives, barriers or preferences in adults with body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2. Risk of bias for each study was assessed by two independent reviewers with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results. From 5,898 papers identified, 13 quantitative, 10 qualitative and 3 mixed studies were included (k=26). About 31% of studies have a MMAT score below 50 % (k=8). The three most reported PA motives in people with obesity were weight management, followed by energy/physical fitness and social support. The three most common PA barriers were lack of self-discipline/motivation, pain or physical discomfort, and lack of time. Based on the only 4 studies available, walking seems to be the preferred mode of PA in people with obesity.Conclusions. Weight management, lack of motivation and pain are keys PA motives and barriers in people with obesity, and should be addressed in future interventions to facilitate PA initiation and maintenance. Further research is needed to investigate the PA preferences of people with obesity.

Associations of weather and air pollution with objective physical activity and sedentary time before and after bariatric surgery: a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study

“…Conversely, a study conducted in China found that an increase of one standard deviation in air pollution, measured via the Air Quality Index (AQI, i.e., index combining carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulphur dioxide, particulate matter measures), was related to a 7.3 hour increase in weekly self-reported sedentary time 15 . Among adults with obesity, studies report that weather conditions can be a barrier to physical activity 16,17 . Both higher (snow) precipitation and temperature are associated with lower physical activity levels among adults with severe obesity 18,19 .…”