ArticleBMC public health2024
Barriers to physical activity in the Iranian population: findings from the STEPwise surveillance 2021.
Article in BMC public health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Exploring the Causes and Management Barriers of Maternal Obesity in Iran: A Qualitative Study.Journal of family & reproductive health · 2026Article
- Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health.Journal of diabetes research · 2026Review
- Perceived inequality in women's sports: a qualitative critical discourse analysis in the Iranian context.International journal for equity in health · 2025Article
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6 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundPhysical inactivity is a critical predictor of all-cause mortality and many non-communicable diseases (NCD) including coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, dementia, and several cancers. The main objective of this study was to determine the main barriers to physical activity based on the STEPwise Surveillance in Iran in 2021, to guide policymakers in developing the most effective physical activity increasing strategies.
methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 27,515 female and male individuals aged over 18 years from the STEPwise Surveillance 2021. The barriers to physical activity according to the modified version of barriers questionnaire and intrapersonal, interpersonal, economic, cultural, and environmental domains based on social-ecological models were determined. Association between barriers domain and physical activity level was assessed.
resultsLack of time due to job commitments (31.4%) and family (19.3%) and inappropriate physical conditions including illness, pain, injury, disability, and fatigue (30.4%) were the most frequent barriers to physical activity. Interest in sedentary leisure time activities including virtual space, computer games and watching TV were the next frequent barriers to physical activity (10.01%). Intrapersonal domain had the highest frequency (62.9%) and cultural domain had the lowest frequency (2.3%). Intrapersonal and interpersonal barriers reduced the odds of engaging in physical activity (OR: 0.62, P value < 0.001, OR: 0.76, P value < 0.001).
conclusionIntra- and inter-personal domain barriers might reduce the odds of being active. Developing action plans addressing these factors is suggested to increase physical activity levels.
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