Abstract
The workplace is an ideal setting to implement an effective health-promoting program. Insufficient information exists regarding the motivators and barriers to physical activity among working adults in Qatar. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the motivators and barriers to physical activity among adults in a healthcare setting. This cross-sectional study was conducted in an orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital. The participants were Qatari and non-Qatari adult staff (n = 100), who were recruited by word of mouth. They filled out self-administered questionnaires consisting of questions on age, gender, nationality, medical conditions, and the motivators (external, health/medical, and engagement) and barriers (personal, perceptual, and time constraint) to participating in physical activity. The characteristics of participants were: Age (<35 years, 50.5%; ≥35 years, 49.5%), Gender (men, 47.5%; women, 52.5%), Nationality (Qatari, 51%; non-Qatari, 49%), and health status (healthy, 53%; ≥1 medical condition, 47%). Common motivators particularly among workers <35 years, were the desire to maintain weight/shape (83.5%), participating in a sport (67.7%), and getting out of the house (64.2%). Common barriers to exercise were weather (84.9%) and family responsibilities (84.4%). Other barriers, particularly among women, were difficulty in maintaining a routine (82.1%) and finding physical activity uninteresting (52.7%). The most common motivator to physical activity was the desire to maintain weight/shape and the main perceived barrier was the usual hot weather conditions most part of the year). Employers may need to consider the influence of these and other factors to improve the success of a physical activity program implemented in a workplace.
Highlights
Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for death and contributes to 6% of deaths globally (World Health Organization, 2017b)
They filled out self-administered questionnaires consisting of questions on age, gender, nationality, medical conditions, and the motivators and barriers to participating in physical activity
The number of individuals in each group were nearly equal with regard to age (≤35 years 50.5% and >35 years 49.5%), gender, nationality (Qatari, 51%; non-Qatari, 49%), and medical condition
Summary
Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for death and contributes to 6% of deaths globally (World Health Organization, 2017b). The low prevalence of physical activity and poor nutrition have contributed to a rise in obesity and associated chronic diseases (e.g., metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease) in Qatar, as well as globally (Ismail, 2012; Lee, Shiroma, & Lobelo, 2012; Ng, Zaghloul, & Ali, 2011; Salman, Sellami, et al, 2019; World Health Organization, 2006, 2017b). Increasing physical activity (i.e., any movement of the skeletal muscles that causes energy expenditure could help to counter obesity and associated diseases (World Health Organization, 2017b). Evidence suggests that the increased sedentary behavior is due to the technological advances and environmental changes where prolonged daily sitting time has become a norm within office, home, and transport (Bauman et al, 2011; Thorp, Owen, & Neuhaus, 2011)
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