Patient-physician discussion of physical activity and environmental barriers.

摘要

Although obese individuals may benefit from moderate physical activity (PA) such as walking, many do not engage in adequate PA (Rejeski et al, 2011). Currently, less than half of all American adults are estimated to obtain the recommended PA level of a minimum of 30 minutes of PA daily for at least five days per week (CDC, 2009). This may partly result from the major influence the physical environment such as sidewalks, recreational facilities, lighting, and safety concerns has on individuals' decision to engage or continue in PA (Santariano et al., in press; Lee, 2007; Lee and Moudon, 2006; Lee and Buchner, 2008). Regardless, healthcare providers have a role in promoting PA among their patients. Physicians generally recommend increasing PA to their patients, albeit less so to their obese patients (Phelan et al., 2009). Time constraints, lack of resources to effect behavioral changes, limited training in appropriate behavioral change counseling, and perceived lack of interest from patients have been cited by physicians as some of the reasons for their limited level of counseling (Ory et al., 2007).