Mental (or Emotional) Barriers Block Obese Women from Exercise

Obese women report that several mental barriers keep them from exercising to lose weight, according to a new study conducted by researchers from the Center for Obesity Research and Education and the department of kinesiology at Temple University.

An article published in HealthDay News, reports that the study dealt with mental barriers to exercise, including:

• Feeling self-conscious.
• Not wanting to fail.
• Fearing injury.
• Perceived poor health.
• Having minor aches and pains.
• Feeling too overweight to exercise.

I was struck by the use of "mental" vs. categorizing these issues as "emotional." Perhaps the researchers didn't want to sterotype women? Or perhaps they're not willing to recognize that emotions are just as powerful in determining behavior? (Yes, that was totally an editorial comment. I admit it.)

Here's the full article so you can reach your own conclusions.