Adolescents’ voices concerning facilitators of physical activity

• Objective: Socioeconomic inequalities in adolescents’ health and well-being are increasing, yet relatively little attention has been paid to voices of adolescents’ in disadvantaged communities and their stories about physical activity. As such, the purpose of this study was to illuminate what adolescents, from a low socioeconomic multicultural community in Sweden, convey concerning facilitators of physical activity. Methods:All seventh graders from one school in Sweden, situated in a multicultural community characterized with low socioeconomic status, were invited to the study, and 53 adolescents (12-13 years of age) agreed to participate. Embracing an interpretive approach, ten focus-group interviews was conducted to produce data for the study. The focus-group interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Findings:The analysis resulted in two major themes regarding facilitators of the adolescents’ physical activity: (1) Possibility for enjoyment; and (2) Social support and a supportive environment. The first theme illuminated that feelings of enjoyment guided the adolescents’ physical activity engagement, and that presence of peers, perceived competence, variation and options promoted enjoyment related to physical activity. The second theme illustrated that social support from family facilitated the adolescents’ physical activity, and included several suggestions from the adolescents’ on how the school environment could become more supportive of their physical activity (e.g., longer breaks in school). Conclusion:Based on the adolescents’ voices, feeling of enjoyment had a great impact on their physical activity engagement, and the presence of peers, variation and options, and perceived competence contributed to enjoyment related to physical activity. Moreover, according to the adolescents, social support from family facilitated their physical activity and the school environment had the potential of becoming more supportive of their physical activity. Noteworthy, when the adolescents spoke about physical activity, they mostly referred to spontaneous physical activities (e.g., playing football with friends), rather than organized physical activities, which appear to be specific for these adolescents.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Idrottsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Sport and Fitness Sciences (hsv//eng)

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)