Associations between psychological factors and accelerometer-measured physical activity in urban Asian adults

Examine the association between psychological variables and accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in urban Asians. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Singapore. Participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days to measure physical activity (PA). Demographic, anthropometric and psychological data were also collected. Psychological variables included PA guideline knowledge, motivational profile for PA self-regulation (5 subscales), perceived barriers to PA (4 subscales) and perceived social support for PA. Regression models with adjustment for socio-demographic variables were fitted. External regulation (b = − 13.03, 95% CI − 34.55; − 1.50) and perceived daily life barriers (b = − 12.63, 95% CI − 24.95; − 0.32) were significantly associated with fewer weekly MVPA minutes. A significant interaction between perceived social support and age (p = 0.046) was found. Social support was significantly negative associated with MVPA minutes in younger (