ObjectiveThis study sought to assess perceived barriers to physical activity among low-income, Hispanic teenagers in New Jersey.Design, Setting and ParticipantsThis was a descriptive study in which a convenience sample of low-income, Hispanic teenagers (n = 711), recruited from three high schools and five community agencies, completed a quantitative survey regarding barriers to physical activity.Outcome Measures and AnalysisForty-five barriers, identified in previous research, were rated, using a 5-point Likert scale (i.e., 1 = never and 5 = always), according to how often teens’ perceived they prevented them from being active. Teens’ physical activity levels were measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Descriptive statistics, and mean barrier and PAQ-A scores were calculated. Student’s t-test was used to assess differences between mean scores and gender.ResultsTwenty of the 45 barriers items prevented teens from being active (i.e., mean score ≥ 2.0). These barriers were primarily related to motivation, weather, and the lack of a place to be active, proper equipment and/or an exercise companion. Top barriers reported by male and female participants were similar, differing only in their rank. Females perceived significantly more barriers to physical activity, and reported significantly (p < 0.0001) lower physical activity levels (PAQ-A scores) than male Hispanic teens.Conclusions and ImplicationsInterventions should provide more motivating (fun) and more indoor activity opportunities to improve physical activity levels of Hispanic teenagers. Further research is needed in other locations. By identifying pertinent barriers to activity, physical activity interventions and materials may be designed that address the specific needs of the target audience.FundingNew Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education. ObjectiveThis study sought to assess perceived barriers to physical activity among low-income, Hispanic teenagers in New Jersey. This study sought to assess perceived barriers to physical activity among low-income, Hispanic teenagers in New Jersey. Design, Setting and ParticipantsThis was a descriptive study in which a convenience sample of low-income, Hispanic teenagers (n = 711), recruited from three high schools and five community agencies, completed a quantitative survey regarding barriers to physical activity. This was a descriptive study in which a convenience sample of low-income, Hispanic teenagers (n = 711), recruited from three high schools and five community agencies, completed a quantitative survey regarding barriers to physical activity. Outcome Measures and AnalysisForty-five barriers, identified in previous research, were rated, using a 5-point Likert scale (i.e., 1 = never and 5 = always), according to how often teens’ perceived they prevented them from being active. Teens’ physical activity levels were measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Descriptive statistics, and mean barrier and PAQ-A scores were calculated. Student’s t-test was used to assess differences between mean scores and gender. Forty-five barriers, identified in previous research, were rated, using a 5-point Likert scale (i.e., 1 = never and 5 = always), according to how often teens’ perceived they prevented them from being active. Teens’ physical activity levels were measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Descriptive statistics, and mean barrier and PAQ-A scores were calculated. Student’s t-test was used to assess differences between mean scores and gender. ResultsTwenty of the 45 barriers items prevented teens from being active (i.e., mean score ≥ 2.0). These barriers were primarily related to motivation, weather, and the lack of a place to be active, proper equipment and/or an exercise companion. Top barriers reported by male and female participants were similar, differing only in their rank. Females perceived significantly more barriers to physical activity, and reported significantly (p < 0.0001) lower physical activity levels (PAQ-A scores) than male Hispanic teens. Twenty of the 45 barriers items prevented teens from being active (i.e., mean score ≥ 2.0). These barriers were primarily related to motivation, weather, and the lack of a place to be active, proper equipment and/or an exercise companion. Top barriers reported by male and female participants were similar, differing only in their rank. Females perceived significantly more barriers to physical activity, and reported significantly (p < 0.0001) lower physical activity levels (PAQ-A scores) than male Hispanic teens. Conclusions and ImplicationsInterventions should provide more motivating (fun) and more indoor activity opportunities to improve physical activity levels of Hispanic teenagers. Further research is needed in other locations. By identifying pertinent barriers to activity, physical activity interventions and materials may be designed that address the specific needs of the target audience. Interventions should provide more motivating (fun) and more indoor activity opportunities to improve physical activity levels of Hispanic teenagers. Further research is needed in other locations. By identifying pertinent barriers to activity, physical activity interventions and materials may be designed that address the specific needs of the target audience.