Physical Activity Profiles and Uptake of Fitness Tracking Technology among Caribbean Residents

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Health is inextricably linked to, among various lifestyle factors, physical activity. However, countries in the Caribbean are understudied relative to other nations in North America, Europe and Asia regarding probes of potential associations between well-being and physical activity. AIM: Our pilot study aimed to investigate physical activity in the Caribbean. METHODS: We survey Caribbean ages 18 to 75 from 2016 to 2022. Analyses included descriptive statistics and logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 272 survey respondents including a 10-member fitness tracker focus (FTF) group, approximately 53.0% reported not having diagnoses or symptoms of any illnesses. The most popular activities that persons engaged in were dancing (34.9%), football (27.6%), track and field (26.1%) and walking (38.2%). At least one hour was spent per week exercising (70.2%) and socializing (83%). The most popular recreational event types were related to carnival festivities (46.2%) and concerts (26.7%). Persons who participated in carnival were less likely to report recent maladies relative to non-participants (OR: 0.57; 95%CI: 0.35, 0.92). FTF group members report greater activity when supported by peers. FTF "revelers" (carnival participants) logged up to ten times more steps on carnival event days than non-event days. The top three barriers to being consistent in physical activity were lack of time (72.1%), lack of motivation (58.1%) and access to workout facilities (27.2%). While persons 30 and over were less likely than persons under 30 to be perceive facility access as an obstacle (OR: 0.45, 95%CI: 0.26, 0.78), persons under 30 were more likely to report insufficient time as a challenge to being more active relative to their older counterparts (OR: 1.84; 95%CI: 1.08, 3.17). RESULTS: Findings proffer insight into the unique ways in which Caribbean peoples pursue and participate in various forms of physical activity with potential health benefits, partially mediated by peer support and fitness technology.