Outdoor Recreation for Every Body?

An Examination of Constraints to
Outdoor Recreation for Individuals Who Are Significantly Overweight
Gretchen Newhouse, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Abstract
While some research illustrates the general constraints to physical activity and leisure pursuits,
there is no literature specifically targeting the constraints to participation in outdoor recreation for
people who are significantly overweight. This focus group research study examined the
intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural constraints to outdoor recreation for individuals who
are significantly overweight and provides valuable information to guide the next steps needed to
adequately understand and address these issues.

Introduction

Physical inactivity is a central component in the ongoing global narrative surrounding obesity and
health. Together, inactivity and obesity are linked with chronic health problems, impairments in
physical functioning, and a decrease in overall quality of life, as well as an estimated 300,000
premature deaths annually on a global scale (Manson, Skerrett, Greenland, & VanItallie, 2004).
The majority of Americans are classified as overweight, and one-third of the population qualifies
as obese with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 (Flegal, Carroll, Ogden, &
Curtin, 2010). This should not come as a surprise since 75% of Americans engage in less than the
recommended 30 minutes a day of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) (U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, 2000). However, the introduction (or reintroduction) of regular
physical activity can buffer, prevent, and/or reverse many of the above consequences.

A routine of regular physical activity can greatly reduce chronic diseases and the risk of premature
death (Warburton, Nicol, & Bredin, 2006), and people who were previously sedentary and are
overweight may reap many health benefits from becoming active even if they do not lose weight
(Duncan et al., 2003). These facts position active outdoor recreation (OR) (i.e. kayaking, canoeing,
rock climbing, bicycling, backpacking, hiking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, etc.) as a
potential component in a persons leisure lifestyle that may naturally lend itself in the promotion
of physical activity, health, and overall quality of life. OR is a viable intervention to increase
LTPA, as consumers of public outdoor spaces are three times more likely to meet or exceed
recommended LTPA levels (Giles-Corti et al.,2005).and the creation of new local OR resources
such as non-motorized trails were found to significantly promote LTPA among people who were
previously inactive (Gordon, Zizzi, & Pauline, 2004).

Methods

Past LTPA research is related specifically to the identification and management of leisure
constraints as they reduce or preclude leisure participation, leisure satisfaction and/or general
achievement of other desired leisure benefits. Crawford, Jackson, and Godbey (1991) presented a
hierarchical model of leisure constraint negotiation, which categorized leisure constraints into
three distinct barriers: structural, intrapersonal, and interpersonal.
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To examine these three constraints to OR for individuals who consider themselves overweight or
obese, six focus group sessions (three for men only and three for women only) were facilitated.
The focus group opportunity was communicated in the local newspaper, university faculty
newsletter, signs posted around university campus and community, and Facebook. Potential
participants attended an introductory session to learn more about the study. Those participants
who were considered obese or overweight based on their BMI and could attend three focus group
sessions were selected. Participants received refreshments during the focus group sessions and $50
after attending all three sessions.

Focus group discussion concentrated on constraints to OR and strategies to overcome constraints

with specific examples. Topics for future research were also discussed with the participants.
Information was gathered during the sessions by writing participants verbal responses on large
sticky notes on the wall, from recorded audio that was professionally transcribed, and notepads
provided to participants.

Results

Focus group participants consisted of eight men (ages 23-54) and eight women (ages 27-55) who
occasionally participated in a variety of OR. The self-reported BMI of participants was overweight
(25-29.9) (1 man), obese class 1 (30-34.9) (3 men, 4 women), obese class 2 (35-39.9) (2 men, 2
women), and obese class 4 (over 40) (2 men, 2 women).

Information gathered during the sessions by writing participants verbal responses on large sticky
notes on the wall was categorized into leisure constraints of three distinct barriers: structural,
intrapersonal, and interpersonal (Table 1). These were previously identified categories by
Crawford et al. (1991) in leisure. Participants discussed structural constraints of equipment and
clothing to successfully participate in OR (i.e. appropriate size and safety). Intrapersonal
constraints focused internally on the individual who is significantly overweight (i.e. motivation).
Interpersonal constraints examined the relationships with others (i.e. support from instructors to
engage them in OR). After listing all the constraints, the participants voted on the top four
constraints of all those listed. The voting on constraints followed with a further focus on highest
voted items by providing strategies to overcome the constraint and specific examples. Those
constraints with the highest votes for the women were frustration about keeping up and slowing
down others, self-conscious about wearing outdoor gear, finding clothes that are comfortable and
functional, and motivation. Those constraints with the highest votes for the men were
motivation, lack of support group, time, tired easily, and injuries, aches, and pains. Utilizing a
constant comparison analysis for the qualitative data from recorded audio that was professionally
transcribed, the researchers then analyzed the themes for the men and women and any
commonalities between the gendered focus groups. At the end of the focus group, some of the
topics for future research mentioned by the participants were accessibility of OR organizations
for programs and equipment, cost of outdoor programs and equipment, training of outdoor
professionals, safety of outdoor equipment, and support system for OR.

Discussion

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With this research and potential topics for future research, the OR field has an exciting opportunity
to position ourselves as leaders in improving the health and wellness of the general population in
response to this current health crisis. Leisure contexts provide non-pharmacological opportunities
for promotion of physical, psychological, and emotional health and wellness. For example, an
article in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine presented recreation professionals as
potential contributors to active living research (Godbey, Caldwell, Floyd, & Payne, 2005).
However, although general mentions were made to goals of addressing health and wellness needs
of the public, including those with disabilities, there was no information of how we address the
special needs of people who are significantly overweight within the context of OR. This focus
group research study not only identified the structural, intrapersonal, and interpersonal constraints
to OR for individuals who are significantly overweight, but, most importantly, provided valuable
information that may lead to better strategies designed to buffer, prevent, and/or reverse the
physical, social, and psychological consequences of obesity.

References

Crawford, D. W., Jackson, E. L., & Godbey, G. ( 1991). A hierarchical model of leisure
constraints. Leisure Sciences, 13(4), 309-320

Duncan, G. E., Perri, M. G., Theriaque, D. W., Hutson, A. D., Eckel, R. H., & Stacpoole, P. W.
(2003). Exercise training, without weight loss, increases insulin sensitivity and postheparin
plasma lipase activity in previously sedentary adults. Diabetes Care, 26(3), 557-562.

Flegal, K. M., Carroll, M. D., Ogden, C. L., & Curtin, L. R. (2010). Prevalence and trends in
obesity among US adults, 1999-2008. The Journal of the American Medical Association,
303(3), 235-241.

Giles-Corti, B., Broomhall, M. H., Knuiman, M., Collins, C., Douglas, K., & Ng, K. et al.
(2005). Increasing walking: How important is distance to, attractiveness, and size of public
open space? American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 28(2S2), 169-176.

Godbey, G. C., Caldwell, L. L., Floyd, M., & Payne, L. (2005). Contributions of leisure studies
and recreation and park management research to active living agenda. American Journal of
Preventive Medicine, 28(2S2), 150-158.

Gordon, P. M., Zizzi, S. J., & Pauline, J. (2004). Use of a community trail among new and
habitual exercises: A preliminary assessment. Preventing Chronic Disease, 1(4), 2-11.

Manson J. E., Skerrett, P. J., Greenland P., & Vanltallie T. B. (2004). The escalating pandemics
of obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Arch Intern Medicine, 164, 249-258.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Healthy People 2010: Understanding and
Improving Health (2nd edition). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Warburton, D. E. R., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. D. (2006). Health benefits of physical
activity: The evidence. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 174(6), 801-809.

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Authors Information: Gretchen Newhouse, Ph.D. has developed a passion for understanding
the outdoor recreation constraints for individuals who are significantly overweight through her
experience teaching and facilitating in the outdoors across the country. She received funding to
study the constraints through focus groups and written an article in JOREL about the topic.
Gretchen is currently an Associate Professor and Internship Coordinator in the Department of
Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
She can be reached at gnewhouse@uwlax.edu.

Table 1, Constraints to Outdoor Recreation

Constraints Women Men
Structural Safety Availability (when, where things are
Outdoor gear fitting appropriately offered)
Finding clothes that are comfortable Accessibility of activities (parking, etc.)
and functional Money (gas, travel)
Weight limits on equipment Time restraints
Terrain/route is too difficult for the Equipment needed
program and not explained Weather
Width of trails Difficulty of activity
Finding or making the time Lack of variety
Weather Safety/maintenance (trails, equipment)
Cost Less land available (hunting)
Interpersonal Frustration about keep up and slowing Lack of support group
down others Fear of ridicule from peers
Instructor does not know how to adapt Lack of instruction/knowledge
activity for larger bodies
Finding others as same level
People assume you are at a certain
fitness level because of your size
You are not asked to do outdoor
recreation because of your size
Not wanting to explain why there is a
difference in fitness level
Classes/group has a fitness instructor
instead of an outdoor leader
Difficult to do things alone or find
right group/partner
Stares in group/classes from other
participants
Intrapersonal Wearing a swimsuit is embarrassing Lack of motivation
Self-conscious about wearing outdoor Not physically strong enough
gear Agility
Fear of over commitment to difficulty Age and weight restrictions
level Endurance
Tired easily
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Not comfortable during some outdoor
recreation activities
Reinforce poor self-esteem because of
experience
Mental motivation
Fatigue or low energy
Pain levels when doing strenuous
outdoor recreation
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Injuries, aches, pains
Lack of coordination
Something better to do
Fear (from overweight, ropes, drowning,
etc.)
Outside age norms
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