Research Article

Physical Activity and Perceived Barriers to Activity among Kuwaiti Adolescents in Government Schools

Authors: Abeer Khaled Al-Baho, Ashraaf Al-Naar, Jibu Koshy Panicker, Hadwa Al-Shuaib.

DOI: 10.33425/3065-5641.1021

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Abstract

Regular Physical activity among young people is associated with many positive health outcomes related to prevention and control of obesity and non-communicable diseases which have a high prevalence in Kuwait. Objectives: The objectives of our study were to investigate if Kuwaiti adolescents were performing sufficient physical activity and to identify the interfering barriers to performing physical activity.

Design: A cross sectional study design was used to collect data on current physical activity level among Kuwaiti adolescents.

Settings: Data were collected from students studying in Kuwait government secondary schools.

Subjects and Methods: Data were collected from 1000 school going Kuwaiti adolescents using the Arab Teen Life Style, Arabic version. Perceived barriers to physical activity were investigated using an ecological framework.

Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measures of the study were to identify if respondents were performing sufficient levels of physical activity and also identify the barriers to performing physical activity.

Results: The results revealed that only half of the boys (51.1%) and one fourth of the girls (20.8%) from the sample met the recommended daily physical activity levels (2520 MET min/week, moderate to vigorous physical activity). The most common perceived barriers were hot weather (52.8%), having lot of homework (41.1%), lack of time (39.4%), prefer other hobbies (24.9%) and no motivation to exercise (21.3%).

Conclusion: Majority of the Kuwaiti adolescents from government schools perform insufficient physical activity. A comprehensive health promotion program including environmental modifications like indoor play areas and health education highlighting benefits of regular physical activity is suggested to improve physical activity level among Kuwaiti adolescents.

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