Gender differences in barriers to physical activity among adolescents.
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Age Factors
Cardiovascular Diseases
/ diagnosis
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diet, Healthy
Diet, Mediterranean
Exercise
Female
Health Behavior
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Healthy Lifestyle
Humans
Italy
Male
Motivation
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Risk Reduction Behavior
Sedentary Behavior
Sex Factors
Adolescence
Barriers to physical activity
Cardiovascular risk
Mediterranean diet
Physical activity
Physical exercise
Journal
Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD
ISSN: 1590-3729
Titre abrégé: Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 9111474
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
28 08 2020
28 08 2020
Historique:
received:
20
02
2020
revised:
05
05
2020
accepted:
07
05
2020
pubmed:
2
7
2020
medline:
11
11
2020
entrez:
2
7
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Great attention is now being paid to effective policies and programs to promote physical activity among adolescents, girls consistently found to be less active than boys. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences in perceived barriers for physical activity practice and their relationship with physical activity levels and physical condition among adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted in February-April 2017 among students (n = 368) in the last year of two state high schools in Florence (Italy). Participants underwent the measurements of anthropometric parameters (height, weight, waist, and hip circumferences), blood pressure and administration of 3 standardized questionnaires (International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Mediterranean Diet Score Quiz, and Barriers to Being Active Quiz). Gender differences were assessed using a multivariate logistic regression model (adjusted for age and body mass index). The prevalence of participants who reached recommended levels was lower among girls compared to boys (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.17-0.43). The number of perceived barriers to physical activity was higher among girls than among boys (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.29-1.79), lack of energy for exercise and lack of willpower being the two barriers most frequently reported by girls. At multivariable adjusted logistic regression analysis, gender (female), and positivity of at least one perceived barrier (score ≥ 5) were independently selected as the main determinants of non-compliance with WHO criteria for physical activity. Exercise professionals should be aware of the barriers that young girls can face during exercise prescription and be able to contrast them with useful individual strategies.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Great attention is now being paid to effective policies and programs to promote physical activity among adolescents, girls consistently found to be less active than boys. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences in perceived barriers for physical activity practice and their relationship with physical activity levels and physical condition among adolescents.
METHODS AND RESULTS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in February-April 2017 among students (n = 368) in the last year of two state high schools in Florence (Italy). Participants underwent the measurements of anthropometric parameters (height, weight, waist, and hip circumferences), blood pressure and administration of 3 standardized questionnaires (International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Mediterranean Diet Score Quiz, and Barriers to Being Active Quiz). Gender differences were assessed using a multivariate logistic regression model (adjusted for age and body mass index). The prevalence of participants who reached recommended levels was lower among girls compared to boys (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.17-0.43). The number of perceived barriers to physical activity was higher among girls than among boys (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.29-1.79), lack of energy for exercise and lack of willpower being the two barriers most frequently reported by girls. At multivariable adjusted logistic regression analysis, gender (female), and positivity of at least one perceived barrier (score ≥ 5) were independently selected as the main determinants of non-compliance with WHO criteria for physical activity.
CONCLUSIONS
Exercise professionals should be aware of the barriers that young girls can face during exercise prescription and be able to contrast them with useful individual strategies.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32605880
pii: S0939-4753(20)30161-7
doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2020.05.005
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Comparative Study
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1582-1589Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of competing interest The authors report no relationships that could be construed as a conflict of interest.