P101 Theoretical Structure of Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity Among Low-Income Hispanic Teens

Abstract

Background Physical activity levels among low-income, Hispanic teens are low in the US. Many behavioral models suggest perceived barriers are contributing factors, however, little is known about the perceived barriers to physical activity (PBPA) pertinent to this audience. Objective To identify theoretical structure of PBPA among low-income Hispanic teens using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Study Design, Settings, Participants This study used a cross-sectional design. Seventy PBPA-items, identified in the literature, were rated by 9th-12th grade Hispanic teens (n = 494) from New Jersey high schools and community centers. The PBPA items were rated on a five-point Likert-type scale (1 = “never” a barrier; 5 = “always” a barrier). Measurable Outcome/Analysis Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) index and the Bartlett's sphericity tests were used to assess the data's suitability for factor analysis. An EFA using maximum likelihood estimates with an oblique (Promax) rotation was performed. Multiple criteria were used to inform the number of factors extracted, including: Kaiser-Guttman criteria (eigenvalue > 1); the Scree plot's “elbow”; interpretability criteria (eg, if items loaded on a given factor shared the same conceptual meaning, no cross-loading); parallel analysis; and minimum average partial test. Only items with factor loadings > 0.4 were retained. Results Acceptable KMO index (0.95) and the Bartlett's sphericity test (P Conclusion This nine PBPA factors identified may help nutrition educations better understand low-income Hispanic teens’ PBPAs, and develop more targeted and effective educational messages, to help them improve their physical activity levels. Funding New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.