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Wu SK, Wong JE, Poh BK. Children's Attraction to Physical Activity and Its Relation to Physical Activity Level. Malays J Med Sci 2023; 30:108-119. [PMID: 38239253 PMCID: PMC10793132 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2023.30.6.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding of psychosocial factors of physical activity (PA) in children is crucial in encouraging sustained PA, which in turn is associated with important health outcomes. This study aimed to examine how children's attraction to physical activity (CAPA) is associated with PA. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 219 primary school children (105 boys; 114 girls) aged 7 years old-10 years old in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2016-2017. Children from three main ethnicities, namely Malay, Chinese and Indian, were recruited. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured; body composition was assessed by deuterium dilution technique. CAPA and level of PA were obtained through self-administered questionnaires and reported as CAPA and PA scores. Results Median CAPA and PA scores were 3.40 (Q1 = 3.00, Q3 = 3.80) and 2.31 (Q1 = 1.95, Q3 = 2.74), respectively. Significant gender differences were found in CAPA and PA scores, with boys being more attracted to PA (3.16 [Q1 = 2.90, Q3 = 3.44]; P = 0.001) and more physically active compared with girls (2.47 [Q1 = 2.07, Q3 = 3.07]; P = 0.001). CAPA and PA scores correlated positively in both sexes. Boys scored higher than girls in 'liking of games and sports' (ρ = 0.301, P = 0.002) and 'liking of vigorous PA' (ρ = 0.227, P = 0.02) CAPA subscales, which also correlated positively with PA scores. Girls' PA scores correlated with 'peer acceptance in games and sports' (ρ = 0.329, P < 0.001). Conclusion Boys are more physically active and have higher attraction to PA compared with girls. Differences in PA scores between the sexes were related to gender differences in CAPA scores. Thus, attention should be given to gender differences in CAPA related psychosocial factors when planning interventions to promote PA among children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suet Kei Wu
- Nutritional Sciences Programme and Centre for Community Health Studies (ReaCH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jyh Eiin Wong
- Nutritional Sciences Programme and Centre for Community Health Studies (ReaCH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Bee Koon Poh
- Nutritional Sciences Programme and Centre for Community Health Studies (ReaCH), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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The Perspective of Physical Education Teachers in Spain Regarding Barriers to the Practice of Physical Activity among Immigrant Children and Adolescents: A Qualitative Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18115598. [PMID: 34073897 PMCID: PMC8197202 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Physical activity (PA) contributes to the development of children and adolescents and to their mental and physical health. The practice of PA in the school context can contribute towards generating a more inclusive educational community for immigrant children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to describe the perspectives of Spanish physical education (PE) teachers on the practice of PA among immigrant children and adolescents. This research was a qualitative exploratory study. A purposeful sampling strategy was used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field notes. Twenty teachers were recruited. An inductive thematic analysis and content analysis were applied. The following topics were identified: (a) Professional expectations; (b) Economic resources; (c) Integration; (d) Family; (e) Religious beliefs and practices; and (f) Gender difference. A predominance of positive emotions was identified in the narratives, and the most repeated words in word clouds were ‘Caribbean’, ‘Latin’, and ‘population’. These findings help to identify PA barriers for immigrant children and adolescents and may contribute to the creation of PA-based interventions in social and educational contexts.
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Alcántara-Porcuna V, Sánchez-López M, Martínez-Vizcaíno V, Martínez-Andrés M, Ruiz-Hermosa A, Rodríguez-Martín B. Parents' Perceptions on Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity among Schoolchildren: A Qualitative Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:3086. [PMID: 33802746 PMCID: PMC8002392 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18063086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Given that physical activity (PA) plays an important role in early childhood, understanding the factors that affect the practice of PA at an early age could help develop effective strategies for overcoming barriers and increasing activity levels in this age group. A qualitative study was conducted based on grounded theory aimed at exploring the perceptions of mothers and fathers from Cuenca and Ciudad Real (Castilla La Mancha, Spain) regarding barriers and facilitators of physical activity of their children during the adiposity rebound period. Data were collected using focus groups involving 46 parents of children in the 3rd grade of pre-school and 1st grade of elementary school. During the analysis, the socio-ecological model and grounded theory were used. The barriers encountered were the preferences of children for sedentary activities (individual factors), academic tasks as a main priority of parents, the influence of older siblings and the unfavorable school environment (microsystem), the lack of family conciliation (mesosystem), and barriers related to the built environment or lack of facilities for physical activity (exosystem). Facilitators were the preferences for active games (individual factors), parental models including the co-participation of parents in activities, the influence of friends, living in large homes, the support provided by teachers and the school (microsystem), living in rural areas, having sufficient facilities, favorable weather conditions (exosystem), and the existence of free or subsidized activities (macro system). Programs aimed at promoting PA in early childhood should include strategies that address contextual factors and not only focus on individual factors related to the child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa Alcántara-Porcuna
- Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain; (V.A.-P.); (B.R.-M.)
| | - Mairena Sánchez-López
- Department of Physical, Artistic and Music Education Didactics, Faculty of Education, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Ciudad Real, Spain;
- Social and Health Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain; (V.M.-V.); (M.M.-A.)
| | - Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno
- Social and Health Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain; (V.M.-V.); (M.M.-A.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, 3460000 Talca, Chile
| | - María Martínez-Andrés
- Social and Health Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain; (V.M.-V.); (M.M.-A.)
- Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Nursing, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02006 Albacete, Spain
| | - Abel Ruiz-Hermosa
- Department of Physical, Artistic and Music Education Didactics, Faculty of Education, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Ciudad Real, Spain;
- Social and Health Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain; (V.M.-V.); (M.M.-A.)
| | - Beatriz Rodríguez-Martín
- Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain; (V.A.-P.); (B.R.-M.)
- Social and Health Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain; (V.M.-V.); (M.M.-A.)
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