Using a Naturalistic Ecological Approach to Examine the Factors Influencing Youth Physical Activity Across Grades 7 to 12

Abstract

High levels of inactivity in youth have led researchers and practitioners to focus on identifying the factors that influence physical activity behaviors in young people. The present study employed a qualitative ecological framework to examine the intrapersonal, social, and environmental factors influencing youth physical activity. In grade-specific focus group settings, 160 youth in grades 7 through 12 (aged 12 to 18) were asked how they would increase the physical activity levels of youth their age. Participants identified eight factors that they felt should be addressed in programs and interventions designed to increase the physical activity behaviors of youth. These factors included the importance of fun, having the time to be physically active, the benefits of activity, being active with friends, the role of adults, and the importance of being able to access facilities in their neighborhood.

What undermines healthy habits with regard to physical activity and food? Voices of adolescents in a disadvantaged community

“…This is consistent with previous research that highlights that girls’ housework may hinder them from engaging in P.A. (Humbert et al, 2008). In relation to doing household chores, the girls also spoke about caring for their siblings and feeding them, which sometimes causes them to forget to eat.…”

“…This might, however, be specific for adolescents from low S.E.S. families since previous research has stressed that girls (Humbert et al, 2008) and boys (Dagkas & Stathi, 2007) from such families mention family obligations as a barrier to P.A, while adolescents from high S.E.S. families do not (Dagkas & Stathi, 2007; Humbert et al, 2008).…”

“…(cf. Humbert et al, 2008). In relation to household chores, the adolescent girls’ statements reveal that a symbolic boundary might exist (Lamont & Molnár, 2002) that separates girls from boys and places greater expectations on girls compared to boys to engage in household chores.…”

“…families since previous research has stressed that girls (Humbert et al, 2008) and boys (Dagkas & Stathi, 2007) from such families mention family obligations as a barrier to P.A, while adolescents from high S.E.S. families do not (Dagkas & Stathi, 2007; Humbert et al, 2008). Furthermore, only the girls in this study spoke about school homework and how it prevents them from going outside on weekdays, and as a result, it is difficult to prioritize P.A.…”

Promoting physical activity at the school playground: a quasi-experimental intervention study

“…Since we did not register the characteristics of PA, we can only argue that in our intervention this freedom could just help children in G1 to make games funnier and provided motivation to play. This rationale suggests that creating and changing free-style activities to adapt to the competitive environment and the physical demands of children, can improve opportunities and increase enjoyment and motivation to participate in games (Humbert et al, 2008).…”