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. 2021 Jun 23;16(6):e0253114. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253114

Table 2. Characteristics of the studies included (k = 26).

(Reference) Publication Year (Country) Sample size (% of women) People with obesity [all sample data] Comorbidities (%) and specific characteristics Outcomes assessed** Methods/Tools MMAT scores***
% Age years±SD or (range) BMI kg/m2±SD or (range)
Quantitative studies
Ashton [55] 2017 (Australia) 282 (0%) 10% NR [22.3±2.1] NR [24.7±4.4] NR Barriers
Motives
Online questionnaire 25
Masterson [56] 2017 (USA) 630 (100%) 41% 49.7±15.4 NR T2D (30.6%), HBP (25.7%)
Mild (15.8%) and moderate-severe depression (26.1%)
Urban Latinas
Barriers 5 questions the Influences on PA Instrument about barriers to PA 25
Egan [57] 2013 (Ireland) 145 (36%) 100% 59.0±11.0 34.0 (IQR: 32.0–37.5) T2D (100%) Barriers List with scale 0
Genkinger [58] 2006 (USA) 120 (100%) 65% NR [48.0±11.0] NR NR
African American in church-based, PA intervention
Barriers Adapted version of Steinhardt/Dishman Barriers for Habitual PA Scale 50
James [59] 2008 (USA) 823 (71%) 41% Class I: 51.0 (19–84)
Class II: 48.3 (18–87)
NR NR
African American and part of a colorectal cancer prevention intervention churches rural
Barriers Phone questionnaire 50
Labrunee [60] 2012 (France) 23 (57%) 100% 52.8±8.5 40.1± 7.3 (control)
39.3±9.9 (intervention)
Diabetes (100%)
Enrolled in PA intervention
Barriers
Preferences
Phone questionnaire 0
Napolitano [61] 2011 (USA) 280 (100%) 38% NR [47.3±10.7] NR [28.7±5.2] NR
Previously inactive women
Barriers Expected outcomes and barriers for habitual PA scale 25
Rimmer [62] 2010 (USA) 33 (100%) 91% NR [60.1 ± 10.1] NR [49.1±12.4] Arthritis (67%), Multiple sclerosis (6%), Stroke (6%), Back problem (6%)
Sedentary African-American
Barriers Barriers to PA Questionnaire for People with Disabilities 25
Rye [63] 2009 (USA) 702 (100%) 60% NR [52.2±6.8] NR NR
White, low-income women
Barriers Questionnaire 50
Skov-Ettrup [64] 2014 (Danemark) 55655 (61%) 6% NR NR NR
PA during the past year
Motives Internet or paper-based questionnaire 25
Stankevitz [65] 2017 (USA) 124 (93%) 100% 45.0±9.0 37.7± 6.7 NR Barriers Internet or mail questionnaire 25
Burton [66] 2012 (Australia) 7784 (56%) 23% NR [(42–67)] NR NR Preferences Mail questionnaire 75
Short [67] 2014 (Australia) 1137 (50%) 30% [52.8±16.3] [30.0±14.7] Chronic illness (46%) Preferences Phone questionnaire 50
Borodulin [68] 2016 (Finland) 2260 (59%) 20% NR [(18–64)] NR NR Barriers Questionnaire 75
Qualitative studies
Bowen [69] 2015 (USA) 9 (100%) 78% NR [75.0±5.3] NR [27–41] 67% reported using canes or walkers Barriers
Motives
Semi-structured interviews 100
Coe [70] 2017 (USA) 13 (54%) 100% 42.0 (29–53) 52.5 (37–81) 100% at least one comorbidity (HBP, dyslipidemia, or T2D)
African American
Barriers Focus group 100
Danielsen [71] 2016 (Norway)* 8 (63%) 100% NR (35–63) NR (37–60) Part of a 10–14 weeks inpatient lifestyle modification program Barriers
Motives
Interviews 100
Guess [72] 2012 (UK) 29 (83%) 21% 37.8±10.9 46.8±5.6 Attending dietetic clinics for weight management Barriers
Motives
Focus groups and semi-structured interviews 60
Igelström [73] 2012 (Sweden)* 15 (47%) 100% 62.0 (IQR 8.5) 37.0 (IQR 5.0) Obstructive sleep apnea and CPAP treatment (100%) Barriers
Motives
Semi-structured interviews 100
Joseph [74] 2017 (USA) 25 (100%) 100% 38.5±7.8 39.4±7.3 Sedentary lifestyle (100%) Barriers
Motives
Preferences
Focus group 100
Lidegaard [75] 2016 (Denmark) 28 (46%) 86% NR [59.4±8.8] NR [34.4±5.0] T2D (100%); Heart disease or musculoskeletal disorders (79%) Barriers
Motives
Focus group + probes in the form of images, statements and quotations regarding PA. 100
Piana [76] 2013 (Italy) 80 (63%) 100% 53.2±12.2 36.5±5.9 HBP (49%); T2D (35%)
Coronary Heart Disease (4%)
Barriers Focus group 100
Groven [77] 2010 (Norway) 5 (100%) 100% NR (35–63) NR (40–48) Part of a weight loss program Barriers
Motives
Semi-structured interviews 100
Lewis [78] 2011 (Australia) 36 (0%) 100% 46.0 (21–69) 37.1 (30–61) HBP (33.3%); Arthritis and joint problems (30.6%); Sleep apnea (16.7%); Diabetes (13.9%), Cardiovascular problems (11.1%) Barriers
Motives
Interviews 60
Mixed-methods studies
Adachi-Mejia [79] 2016 (USA)* 78 (100%) 76% NR [52.8±14.5] NR [35.4±9.2] NR
Enrolled in a lifestyle community-based program for vulnerable populations
Barriers Survey + one open question 80
Lattimore [80] 2011 (USA) 384 (78%) 46% NR [50–75+] NR NR
Adults 50 years and older
Barriers Interviews 80
Leone [81] 2013 (USA) Quanti 195 (100%) 51% NR [55.7±7.0] NR [35.7±7.0] NR
Inactive white women over 50 years old
Barriers
Motives
Online survey 80
19 (100%) 100% 55 (50–72) 36.0 (28.2–46.6) Focus group

* when country of recruitment was not reported country of the authors is reported

** = only outcomes assessed in people with obesity were reported in this column

*** = MMAT scores are expressed as a % of the maximum possible score; BMI = body mass index; CPAP = Continuous positive air pressure; HBP = High blood pressure; MMAT = Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool; NR = not reported; PA = physical activity; T2D = type 2 diabetes.