Differences in physical activity and perceived benefits and barriers among normal weight, overweight, and obese adolescents

The current study investigated differences in physical activity and perceived benefits and barriers in normal-weight, overweight, and obese adolescents and tested the effect of BMI and perceived benefits and barriers on physical activity. Adolescents (N = 773) participated in the study; 381 were classified as having normal weight, 262 as overweight, and 130 as obese. Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire, Decisional Balance Scale, and body composition analyzer were used to measure the study variables. Results indicated that there were no differences in self-reported physical activity in the three BMI groups. However, groups' perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity differed. BMI and 'better out-look', 'weight control', 'feeling confidence', 'physical dissatisfaction', and 'lack of confidence' accounted for nearly half the variance in self-reported physical activity.