Too fat to exercise? Obesity as a barrier to physical activity.
OBJECTIVE
To describe perceptions of being 'too fat' as a barrier to physical activity by gender and body mass index, and to examine the associations between feeling fat and other weight-related barriers to physical activity.


METHODS
Analyses of cross-sectional self-report data from a representative population survey of 2,298 Australian adults.


RESULTS
Overall, 4.4% of respondents reported being too fat as a barrier to physical activity; this being more common among women (6.2%), and among the obese (22.6%). Associations were found between being too fat as a barrier, and being too shy or embarrassed to exercise; being too lazy or not motivated; having an injury or disability (males only); and being not the sporty type (females only). There was no association between feeling too fat and poor health.


CONCLUSIONS
Feeling too fat to exercise is a common barrier among the overweight, particularly for women. Results suggest gender differences in weight-related barriers to physical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
A better understanding of the nature of weight-related physical activity barriers can help inform public health strategies designed to increase physical activity among those who are obese.
School of Health Sciences, Deakin University, Victoria. kball@deakin.edu.au
K
K
Ball
D
D
Crawford
N
N
Owen
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology