Assessing motivators and barriers to active healthy living among a multicultural college student body: A qualitative inquiry

Abstract

Lack of physical activity and poor eating habits have been associated with numerous negative health outcomes, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Previous research demonstrated that physical activity decreases throughout young adulthood and adolescence. This was a qualitative investigation into potential barriers and motivators to healthy eating and being physically active among a diverse group of college students in a US institution in the Middle East. A total of six focus groups were conducted (N = 35) to discuss motivators and barriers to healthy eating and being physically active, perceptions, culture, and intervention ideas. Stress and time management emerged as barriers, while social supports were a motivating factor for students. Future research should investigate the unique effect of transitioning into college in the context of the Middle East. Interventions targeting factors that affect the physical activity and eating habits of young adults can help improve longer-term health outcomes.

Keywords:

• Motivators
• multicultural
• nutrition
• physical activity
• qualitative research

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all of the students who participated in the focus groups. We would like to also acknowledge the support from the Fitness Department, Fitness Center, and campus catering staff for their support and feedback throughout this project.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United Arab Emirates and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of NYU Abu Dhabi.

Data availability statement

The data set associated with this research can be made available to researchers upon request to the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the NYUAD Research Institute.