摘要：Objectives. We sought to identify perceived personal barriers to physical activity and examine the potential association between these barriers and sociodemographic and behavioral variables, including participation in leisure-time physical activity. Methods. In 2003, we conducted a population-based study in Pelotas, Brazil. Participants aged 20 years and older were selected according to a multistage sampling strategy. Participants responded to both the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and a standardized questionnaire investigating 8 perceived personal barriers. Results. Only 26.8% of participants achieved 150 minutes per week of leisure-time physical activity. Lack of money (40.3%) and feeling too tired (38.1%) were the most frequently reported barriers to physical activity. A dose–response group association was observed between number of perceived barriers and level of physical activity. In the multivariable analysis, lack of time, dislike of exercising, feeling too tired, lack of company, and lack of money were associated with physical inactivity. Conclusion. Detection of the determinants of physical inactivity, a growing epidemic, should be a public health priority. Brazil is a middle-income (developing) country. The prevalence of most of the personal barriers studied was higher in this population than those levels observed in high-income (developed) countries. Perceiving 5 of the 8 barriers investigated was inversely associated with leisure-time physical activity level. In spite of the well-recognized benefits of physical activity, millions of people are physically inactive. More importantly, the prevalence of physical inactivity is growing. 1 Therefore, studies focused on identification of the determinants of physical inactivity are warranted, because the results of such research will help in planning effective interventions. In this context, perceived barriers to physical activity have been widely studied. 2 – 4 In a recent review regarding correlates of physical activity in adults, it was demonstrated that perceiving either environmental or personal barriers was inversely associated with physical activity level. 5 However, the perceived barriers and the magnitude of their association with physical inactivity depends on the population studied. For example, in the European Union, Zunft et al. 4 found a large between-country variation in the frequency of some perceived barriers. Even within countries, the association between these barriers and the level of physical activity may vary according to the region in which individuals live. 3 Lack of time is one of the most frequently reported barriers in developed countries. It was suggested that this barrier may actually represent a lack of motivation, 6 but another study found an association between hours worked and leisure-time physical activity. 7 Given these contrasting findings, it is important to evaluate the role of lack of time as a barrier to physical activity in a developing country population. Data on the prevalence and correlates of barriers are derived primarily from developed countries. For example, lack of money is not frequently reported in developed countries 8 but might have both a high prevalence and a negative influence on leisure-time physical activity in developing countries. The aim of our study to identify perceived personal barriers to physical activity and to evaluate their association with sociodemographic and behavioral variables, including leisure-time physical activity. We further explored the role of lack of time as a perceived barrier.
