Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Differ by Race/Ethnicity

Details

• Personal Author:
  Clancy SM ; Ostbye T ; Schoenfisch AL ; Stankevitz K ; Stroo M
• Description:
  Healthy eating and physical activity are important factors for weight loss. This study explored perceived barriers to healthy eating (BHE) and physical activity (BPA) in employees who had participated in a workplace weight management program. Follow-up surveys were conducted with former participants, all of whom were obese when starting the program. BPA and BHE were assessed with 19-item and a 21-item scales, respectively. Participants were asked about the barriers they encountered while participating in the program. Responses were obtained from 111 participants. Barriers did not differ by gender, age or BMI change; although, barriers differed significantly by race/ethnicity. Barriers common to all racial groups included: BHE: "Holidays and special occasions were a problem", "I felt like eating whatever I want"; and BPA: "Procrastination", "Lack of self-discipline", "Lack of time", and "Family Responsibilities". Largest barriers in African Americans (n=54) included "Healthier foods were too expensive", "There were no healthier foods in vending machines," and "cost of exercising." Barriers in Whites (n=47) included "High fat foods tasted better", "I ate a lot of meals away from home" and "inconvenient exercise schedule." This study suggests some barriers differ significantly by race. Knowledge of BHE and BPA can provide insight for future weight loss interventions. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Behavior Body Weight Diet Education Men Occupational Health Race Factors Safety Women Workplace
• Keywords:
  BMI Body Mass Index Body Weight Employees Health Effects Humans Intervention Obesity Physical Exercise Racial Factors Weight Factors Work Environment Worker Health Workers

  More +
• Publisher:
  World Obesity Federation
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  North Carolina ; OSHA Region 4
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20050395
• Citation:
  The 13th International Congress on Obesity (ICO), May 1-4, 2016, Vancouver, Canada. London, UK, World Obesity Federation, 2016 May; :T5:X33:42
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• Performing Organization:
  Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20100601
• Source Full Name:
  The 13th International Congress on Obesity (ICO), May 1-4, 2016, Vancouver, Canada
• End Date:
  20150531
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e825717592eef34607c04f5c8d21376a4ea7118e10b52d8266c8ed5edff489ec2a6f2c6b802f7e0b7666fabeee8b8fa2ed4a8c919fb7f27fa498dfbf1c8e5508
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/210762/cdc_210762_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 183.92 KB ]