Examining The Perceived Barriers To Physical Activity Among Older Adults: Moderating Effects Of Body Mass Index

Abstract

Lack of physical activity (PA) is a major public health concern, especially for older people. However, data on possible factors limiting older adults’ engagement in PA are still under-investigated. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) to examine the association of perceived PA barriers with leisure-time PA (LTPA) in a sample of older adults; and 2) to explore the possible moderating effect of body mass index (BMI). METHODS: 296 older adults aged ≥60 years old took part in a cross-sectional survey. LTPA was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and participants were categorized into the three groups, no-LTPA group for individual who did not report LTPA; and below/upper 50th percentile of total LTPA MET values for low- and high-LTPA groups, respectively. Barriers to being active questionnaire (BBAQ) was used to assess perceived PA barriers in a binary manner (i.e., no barrier/at least 1 barrier) for each of the seven domains (i.e., time, social, energy, will, injury, skill, and resources). BMI (kg/m2) was calculated by self-reported height and weight and used to create the three BMI groups (BMI <25, 25 -29.99, and ≥30). Using a no-LTPA group as a referent, a multinomial logistic regression model predicting the likelihoods of being low- and high LTPA groups was established after adjusting for study covariates, followed by stratified analyses by BMI groups. RESULTS: In general, “lack of will” (49.66%) was the most frequently cited PA barrier followed by “social influence” (38.51%) and “fear of injury” (36.49%). In the fully adjusted multinomial logistic regression model, greater perceived barrier in “social influence” was associated with lower odds of reporting high-LTPA (odds ratio (OR) = 0.41). In the follow-up stratified analyses demonstrated that PA barriers differently affect LTPA levels by BMI groups. Among individuals with BMI between 25 and 29.99, “lack of time” (OR = 0.11) was the significant predictor of LTPA level. Whereas, “fear of injury” (OR = 0.11) and “lack of energy” (OR = 0.18) were the significant factors associated with LTPA among those with BMI≥30. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides relevant data on barriers to LTPA for older adults. Promotion and intervention strategies should consider the exposed barriers of older adults in order to reduce their obstacles to PA.