Psychological predictors of perceived barriers to physical activity among women with overweight or obesity

Background: Physical activity is a key element in the fight against obesity. Understanding the barriers to physical activity would promote the adoption of physical activity behaviours. This study aimed to test the influence of self-efficacy for physical activity, negative self-perception due to past physical activity experiences and depressive symptoms on the perception of different barriers to physical activity. Methods: One hundred twenty-nine women (mean age = 48.05 years; mean BMI = 37.74 kg/m²) enrolled in a weight management program that included physical activity completed a questionnaire booklet. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed. Results: Self-efficacy for physical activity predicted barriers related to health issues and organisational concerns, whereas negative self-perceptions predicted barriers related to limitations in experiencing pleasure. Depressive symptoms had a limited role in predicting a few barriers. Conclusion: These results suggest that certain psychological variables could be organisers of certain types of barriers and suggest that the role of negative self-perception due to past experiences of physical activity in the process of non-engagement in physical activity should be further considered in relation to the process of identity building related to physical activity.