Overcoming barriers to exercise among parents: a social cognitive theory perspective

Examination of Physical Activity, Organized Sport, and Sitting Time Among Women and Mothers From Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds

BACKGROUND

Little evidence is available from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities on the association between motherhood and physical activity (PA). This study aimed to examine independent and joint associations of cultural background and motherhood with meeting PA guidelines, participation in organized sports, and high sitting time (>8 h/d).

METHODS

We used self-reported cross-sectional data from survey 8 of the 1973-1978 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. PA was measured using the Active Australia Survey while organized sport and sitting time were measured using single items. CALD was defined as being born in a non-English speaking country or primarily speaking a non-English language at home. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses were used to examine independent and joint associations.

RESULTS

Data from 5967 women (mean age 42.4 [SD 1.5] y, 6.9% CALD, 81.2% mothers) were analyzed. Women of CALD background had lower odds of meeting PA guidelines (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval: 0.80; 0.64-0.98) and participation in organized sports (0.68; 0.54-0.86), but no statistically significant association with sitting time (0.90; 0.72-1.14). Mothers had lower odds of meeting PA guidelines (0.75; 0.64-0.87) and high sitting time (0.42; 0.36-0.49). Compared with non-CALD women without children, mothers (irrespective of cultural background) were less likely to meet PA guidelines and have high sitting time. The association of "cultural background and motherhood" with organized sports participation was only significant for CALD mothers.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased efforts and investments are needed to ensure that sports and other PA promotion interventions are culturally sensitive and engaging for CALD women and those with children.

Parent Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

BACKGROUND

The aims of this review were to describe exercise interventions, facilitators, and barriers to physical activity for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature, appraising the validity of each article with Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt's level of evidence, from different databases CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycINFO, PubMed, ProQuest, and Web of Science between 2000 and 2020 was conducted. As the initial search revealed no articles on exercise interventions and only 2 articles with children with autism spectrum disorder, the aim was widened to all parents of children.

RESULTS

Forty-five articles were identified on barriers to physical activity including being the primary caregiving parent, perception of guilt and selfishness, and adhering to exercise programs they do as part of research, once research ends. Facilitators for physical activity including parents being more likely to exercise if they can bring their child with them and parents preferring exercise that is a lifelong habit, such as walking.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the lack of research on parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, recommendations include development and testing of interventions for parents of children with this condition including family-based exercise interventions where children and parents have a choice to exercise together.

Barriers and Motivators to Physical Activity Prior to Starting a Community-Based Walking Program

Despite the clear benefits of an active lifestyle, most American adults fail to meet physical activity (PA) guidelines. Because of its safety and ease, walking is a promising population-level strategy to increase PA. There is a need to further understand why adults do and do not participate in walking. This study provides a broader understanding of barriers and motivators of walking prior to starting a walking program. Four years of baseline data from a community-based walking program were analyzed (n = 1491). Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, barriers, reinforcements, and current PA. Chi-square tests were used to assess differences in the barrier and reinforcement responses between participant’s PA level and age categories. Open-ended responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. On average, participants were white (96%), middle-aged (52 ± 13 years old) females (92%). Poor weather and time were frequently reported barriers to walking. Open-ended responses (n = 141) identified additional barriers of lack of motivation (n = 37), joint issues (n = 29), fatigue (n = 24), safety or lack of environmental supports (n = 17), family or work demands (n = 15), and lacking a walking partner (n = 9). Good weather, health, and weight loss were frequently reported motivators. Additional motivators (n = 282) identified included stress relief and mental health (n = 82), social time (n = 70), dog care (n = 41), other health benefits (n = 38), connect with nature (n = 19), enjoyment (14), occupation (n = 11), and environmental and community supports (n = 6). Findings highlight the importance of understanding participant barriers and motivators for PA before starting a program. Future research should examine how reported barriers and motivators are related to program completion and adherence. Tailoring community-based programs to address specific barriers and motivators may enable more participants to effectively change and maintain PA.

Evaluating psychosocial and physical activity outcomes following an intervention among Filipino Americans

Background: Physical activity (PA) is a strong contributor to enhancing a healthy lifestyle and preventing numerous chronic diseases. As ethnic minorities engage in low levels of PA, psychosocial and activity-based interventions for sustaining PA are crucial. Methods: The 6-month intervention incorporated culturally tailored educational workshops and weekly PA classes at a community center. Educational workshops were led by six trained community health workers (CHWs). Participants (n=37) completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires regarding PA related self-efficacy, outcome expectations, social support, enjoyment, self-regulation, goal setting, and overall PA. Results: Following the intervention, study participants exhibited increases in weekly PA levels. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test revealed higher median scores for Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES), Identified Regulation, and Intrinsic Motivation. Positive changes were observed for Physical Outcome Expectations, Social Outcome Expectations, Self-Evaluative Outcome Expectations, Physical Activity Enjoyment, Social Support for Exercise Scale - Family, Social Support for Exercise - Friends, and Exercise Goal-Setting. Conclusion: Community-based PA interventions may provide potential benefits to Filipino Americans, an ethnic Asian minority group, in identifying exercise benefits, developing proper exercise goals, increasing motivation, promoting PA behavior, and facilitating long-term PA adherence.

Charity-based incentives motivate young adult cancer survivors to increase physical activity: a pilot randomized clinical trial

To determine the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of an eHealth intervention with charity-based incentives to increase physical activity (PA) among young adult cancer survivors. Participants were randomized into two groups: PA (N = 25; Fitbit, step goal, electronic weekly newsletter) or PA + Charity (N = 26; same as PA plus charity donation if step goal achieved). At baseline and 12 weeks, steps/day were assessed using an activPAL. Motivation (e.g., BREQ-3) and patient reported outcomes (e.g., sleep quality, fatigue) were self-reported. The mean age was 36.8 years, 56.9% were Non-Hispanic White. We retained 82% (42/51) of participants. The PA + Charity vs. PA group had significantly higher satisfaction with intervention experience (100% vs 85%), greater increases in steps/day (1689 vs 516) and increases in overall self-determination score (13.5 vs 2.2). Both groups significantly improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue. A low-intensity eHealth intervention with charity-based incentives was feasible, acceptable, increased PA and self-determination.Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03322059.

Social ecological factors associated with physical activity and screen time amongst mothers from disadvantaged neighbourhoods over three years

BACKGROUND

Mothers from socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods are at elevated risk of physical inactivity and high levels of screen time. Yet, little is known regarding the social ecological factors that are longitudinally associated with physical activity and screen time in this target group, and whether the age of their children impacts these relationships. This study aimed to longitudinally examine the social ecological factors associated with physical activity and screen time amongst mothers living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods, and whether these differed according to their child's age.

METHODS

Data were from 895 mothers living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods (mean age 36.7 years) at baseline and three-year follow-up. Mothers self-reported weekly discretionary physical activity (leisure-time, LTPA; transport-related, TRPA) and screen time durations. Linear regression models assessed associations between five intrapersonal, three social and five physical environmental factors and LTPA, TRPA and screen time, adjusting for confounding factors, clustering by neighbourhood and baseline variables. Interaction analysis was conducted for age of children (younger and older children (n = 442) and mothers with older children (aged 5-12 years) only (n = 453).

RESULTS

In adjusted models, all intrapersonal factors (self-efficacy, enjoyment, outcome expectations, behavioural intentions and behavioural skill), social support from friends, neighbourhood cohesion and number of televisions were longitudinally associated with LTPA amongst all mothers. Interaction models showed that findings were generally consistent across groups (i.e., those with both younger and older children compared to those with older children only), with three exceptions. Physical activity enjoyment and social support from family were associated with LTPA only among mothers with older children. Neighbourhood cohesion was associated with screen time only amongst mothers with both younger and older children. No associations were detected for TRPA.

CONCLUSION

Intrapersonal, social and physical environmental factors were longitudinally associated with mother's LTPA, whilst neighbourhood cohesion was longitudinally associated with screen time behaviours amongst mothers. Interventions aimed at increasing LTPA amongst mothers (particularly those from socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods) may need to target all domains of the social ecological model and may require some tailoring according to the age of children. Further work is needed to identify longitudinal associations with screen time and TRPA in this population group.

Relation between Perceived Barrier Profiles, Physical Literacy, Motivation and Physical Activity Behaviors among Parents with a Young Child

Objectives: to reveal distinct subgroups of parents by their perception of 6 types of physical activity barriers and challenges (i.e., lack of time, poor health, lack of company, lack of facilities, childcare responsibility, lack of motivation), and examine its relation with related constructs. Design: cross-sectional survey data. Method: the sample consisted of 424 parents who had at least 1 child of primary school age. Latent profile analysis was conducted to identify latent subgroups within participants. Group differences on physical literacy, autonomous motivation, and self-report physical activity (PA) levels were explored. Results: a four-profile solution was obtained from latent profile analysis, labelled as: “Struggling” (29.0%), “Family burden” (41.3%), “Lazy” (13.0%), and “Barriers free” (16.7%). The “Barriers free” profile experienced the least difficulties with physical activity, but the “Struggling” profile suffered the most severe barriers and challenges. “Family burden” and “Lazy” profiles demonstrated qualitative differences on one or two given challenges. Significant group differences on physical literacy, autonomous motivation, and PA levels were found, showing the “Barriers free” profile as the most robust and adaptive group of parents. Conclusions: the findings suggest that it is common for a substantial portion of parents to experience multiple barriers and challenges to a relatively high degree. Intervention on raising parent’s physical literacy to reduce barriers and sustain their motivation may be a target for intervention.

Physical Activity of Arab Muslim Mothers of Young Children Living in the United States: Barriers and Influences

Objectives

To examine physical activity (PA) levels, and how sociocultural factors, acculturation, self-efficacy and religion influence PA levels of Arab Muslim mothers of young children living in the United States.

Participants and Setting

Arab Muslim mothers of young children (aged <5 years) living in the United States (N=447).

Variables Measured

PA levels, sociocultural and religious barriers to PA, self-efficacy, strength of religious faith, and acculturation.

Results

Barriers to PA included dress code and negative perception of women who engaged in PA, lack of motivation and stress, and responsibilities. Barriers and self-efficacy significantly influenced PA levels (P<.001) but strength of religious faith and acculturation did not.

Conclusions

Confirmation of the relations among self-efficacy, barriers and PA levels among Arab Muslim mothers of young children in the United States may help professionals tailor culturally sensitive interventions to combat obesity and other chronic diseases among this growing population.

Barrier-belief lifestyle counseling in primary care: A randomized controlled trial of efficacy

OBJECTIVE

Intervening on barrier beliefs (BBs) may inhibit the role of barriers as mediating factors in lifestyle behavior. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a barrier-belief counseling intervention (BBCI) on physical activity (PA) and healthy food intake.

METHODS

An RCT was conducted in a primary care setting among adults (aged 18-70), with two interventions: a BBCI (n = 123) and a standardized lifestyle group intervention (SLI) (n = 122). A non-treated hanging control group (n = 36) received no intervention. Outcomes on PA (accelerometer and SQUASH) and fruit and vegetable intake (self-report) were measured with follow-ups at 6, 12 and 18 months, and analyzed using multiple regression.

RESULTS

The BBCI was more effective on PA compared with the SLI (p < .01): in the short term all PA outcomes improved (p < .05), in the long term moderate-to-vigorous PA outcomes improved (p < .05), all with small effect sizes. No differences between interventions were found on fruit and vegetable intake. None of the outcomes in the control group changed over time.

CONCLUSIONS

BBCI in primary care improves PA compared with SLI.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The customized BB approach seems promising for implementation in healthcare practice to stimulate PA.

Physical Activity in Parents of Young African American Children: The Application of Social Cognitive Theory

Background:

Social cognitive theory (SCT) proposes that personal and environmental factors influence behavior bidirectionally. Research examining the personal and environmental factors of physical activity (PA) among African Americans (AAs) framed by SCT is scarce.

Purpose:

The purpose of this article is to enhance knowledge of SCT as a foundation for health promotion and PA research, in general, and among AAs. Findings from a previous study provide exemplars for key factors and relationships in SCT.

Implications for Research and Practice:

The SCT serves as a good framework for researchers studying health promotion and PA in generalamong AA parents.