Abeer Khaled Al-Baho
Ministry of Health, Kuwait
Title: The Barriers to Physical Activity among Kuwaiti adults 2014
Biography
Biography: Abeer Khaled Al-Baho
Abstract
Background- Regular Physical activity is associated with many positive health outcomes related to prevention and control of obesity and non-communicable diseases which have a high prevalence in Kuwait. The aim of our study was to investigate level of physical activity among Kuwaiti adults and the interfering barriers. Methods- A cross sectional randomized study was used to collect data about physical activity level among 1061 Kuwaiti adults using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Arabic version and perceived barriers to physical activity were investigated using an ecological framework. Regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of physical activity among participants. Results- The results revealed that 19.13% of the sample did not perform any physical activity and 38.1% had low physical activity level, with no significant difference between males and females. The most common perceived barriers were hot weather, work commitment, laziness, lack of time and chronic diseases. While chronic diseases, laziness, lack of support from friends and lack of safe places were the main predictors of low physical activity. Conclusions- A comprehensive health promotion program including environmental and social modifications in addition to health education must be planned to improve physical activity among Kuwaiti adults