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Barriers and Facilitators Associated with Physical Activity in the Middle East and North Africa Region: A Systematic Overview

Author

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  • Sonia Chaabane

    (Institute for Population Health, Weill Cornell Medicine—Qatar, Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar)

  • Karima Chaabna

    (Institute for Population Health, Weill Cornell Medicine—Qatar, Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar)

  • Sathyanarayanan Doraiswamy

    (Institute for Population Health, Weill Cornell Medicine—Qatar, Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar)

  • Ravinder Mamtani

    (Institute for Population Health, Weill Cornell Medicine—Qatar, Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar)

  • Sohaila Cheema

    (Institute for Population Health, Weill Cornell Medicine—Qatar, Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar)

Abstract

Increasing physical inactivity levels in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is a public health concern. We aimed to synthesize barriers and facilitators to physical activity and make appropriate recommendations to address physical inactivity. We conducted an overview of systematic reviews on physical activity barriers and facilitators in 20 MENA countries by systematically searching MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar for systematic reviews published between 2008 and 2020. Our overview included four systematic reviews and 119 primary studies with data from 17 MENA countries. Lack of suitable sports facilities, time, social support and motivation, gender and cultural norms, harsh weather, and hot climate were the most commonly reported barriers to physical activity. Socio-demographic factors negatively associated with physical activity participation include advanced age, being female, less educated, and being married. Motivation to gain health benefits, losing/maintaining weight, being male, dietary habits, recreation, and increased Body Mass Index are positively associated with increased levels of physical activity. Interventions promoting physical activity in MENA should target schoolchildren, women and girls, working parents, and the elderly. Country-specific sociocultural and environmental factors influencing physical activity should be considered in the design of interventions. Current and future policies and national interventions must be consistently evaluated for effectiveness and desired outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Sonia Chaabane & Karima Chaabna & Sathyanarayanan Doraiswamy & Ravinder Mamtani & Sohaila Cheema, 2021. "Barriers and Facilitators Associated with Physical Activity in the Middle East and North Africa Region: A Systematic Overview," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1647-:d:496282
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Karima Chaabna & Ravinder Mamtani & Amit Abraham & Patrick Maisonneuve & Albert B. Lowenfels & Sohaila Cheema, 2022. "Physical Activity and Its Barriers and Facilitators among University Students in Qatar: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Luiz Rodrigues-Santana & Ángel Denche-Zamorano & Carmen Galán-Arroyo & José Carmelo Adsuar & Nicolás Contreras-Barraza & Sandra Vera-Ruiz & Hugo Louro, 2022. "Gender Differences in Perceived Barriers and Benefitsof Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Users: A Pilot Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-11, November.
    3. Sharifa AlBlooshi & Rafiq Hijazi & Lynne Kennedy & Ala Al Rajabi, 2023. "UAE Women’s Knowledge and Attitudes towards Physical Activity during Pregnancy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-18, August.
    4. Esraa Burahmah & Sivaramkumar Shanmugam & Ben Stansfield, 2023. "Full-Day Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Levels of Typically Developing Children and Adolescents in the Middle East: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-29, October.
    5. Syed Fahad Javaid & Aishah Al-Zahmi & Munir Abbas, 2021. "Carer Empowerment Is Key to Reduce Dementia Care Inequalities in the Middle East," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-5, April.
    6. Shukang Wang & Wei Ma & Shu-Mei Wang & Xiangren Yi, 2021. "Regular Physical Activities and Related Factors among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Jinan, China: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-11, October.

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