scholarly journals What shapes adolescents’ diet and physical activity habits in rural Konkan, India? Adolescents’ and caregivers’ perspectives

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ulka Banavali ◽  
Suvarna Patil ◽  
Rupali Chavan ◽  
Swati Sonawane ◽  
Charudatta Joglekar ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To explore, adolescents’ and caregivers’ perspectives, about shaping of diet and physical activity habits in rural Konkan, India. Design: Five focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with adolescents and two with caregivers. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Setting: FGD were conducted in secondary schools located in remote rural villages in the Ratnagiri district, Konkan region, Maharashtra, India. Participants: Forty-eight adolescents were recruited including twenty younger (10–12 years) and twenty-eight older (15–17 years) adolescents. Sixteen caregivers (all mothers) were also recruited. Results: Three themes emerged from discussion: (i) adolescents’ and caregivers’ perceptions of the barriers to healthy diet and physical activity, (ii) acceptance of the status quo and (iii) salience of social and economic transition. Adolescents’ basic dietary and physical activity needs were rarely met by the resources available and infrastructure of the villages. There were few opportunities for physical activity, other than performing household chores and walking long distances to school. Adolescents and their caregivers accepted these limitations and their inability to change them. Increased use of digital media and availability of junk foods marked the beginning of a social and economic transition. Conclusion: FGD with adolescents and their caregivers provided insights into factors influencing adolescent diet and physical activity in rural India. Scarcity of basic resources limited adolescent diet and opportunities for physical activity. To achieve current nutritional and physical activity recommendations for adolescents requires improved infrastructure in these settings, changes which may accompany the current Indian social and economic transition.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susie Weller ◽  
Polly Hardy-Johnson ◽  
Sofia Strommer ◽  
Caroline Fall ◽  
Ulka Banavali ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To explore perceptions of how context shapes adolescent diet and physical activity in eight low- and middle-income (LMIC) sites at different stages of societal and economic transition. Design: Novel qualitative secondary analysis of eight data sets generated as part of the international Transforming Adolescent Lives through Nutrition (TALENT) collaboration. Setting: Diverse sites in India and Sub-Saharan Africa. Participants: Fifty-two focus group discussions with 491 participants (303 adolescents aged 10–17 years; 188 caregivers). Results: Analysis of pooled qualitative data identified three themes: (1) transitions in generational nutrition education and knowledge; (2) transition in caregiver–adolescent power balance and (3) the implications of societal and economic transition for diet and physical activity. Adolescents in urban and peri-urban areas could readily access ‘junk’ food. Diets in rural settings were determined by tradition, seasonality and affordability. Physical activity was inhibited by site-specific factors including lack of space and crime in urban settings, and the prioritisation of academic performance. Gender influenced physical activity across all sites, with girls afforded fewer opportunities. Conclusions: Interventions to improve adolescent diet and physical activity in LMIC need to be complex, context-specific and responsive to transitions at the individual, economic and societal levels. Moreover, solutions need to acknowledge gender inequalities in different contexts, as well as structural and cultural influences on diet and physical activity in resource-limited settings. Programmes need to be effective in engaging and reconciling adolescents’ and caregivers’ perspectives. Consequently, there is a need for action at both the community-household level and also through policy.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Kejal Joshi-Reddy ◽  
Veena Kamble ◽  
Pooja Kunte ◽  
Polly Hardy-Johnson ◽  
Caroline HD Fall ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To explore the perceptions of adolescents and their caregivers on drivers of diet and physical activity in rural India in the context of ongoing economic, social and nutrition transition. Design: A qualitative study comprising eight focus group discussions (FGD) on factors affecting eating and physical activity patterns, perceptions of health and decision-making on food preparation. Setting: Villages approximately 40–60 km from the city of Pune in the state of Maharashtra, India. Participants: Two FGD with adolescents aged 10–12 years (n 20), two with 15- to 17- year-olds (n 18) and four with their mothers (n 38). Results: Dietary behaviour and physical activity of adolescents were perceived to be influenced by individual and interpersonal factors including adolescent autonomy, parental influence and negotiations between adolescents and caregivers. The home food environment, street food availability, household food security and exposure to television and digital media were described as influencing behaviour. The lack of facilities and infrastructure was regarded as barriers to physical activity as were insufficient resources for public transport, safe routes for walking and need for cycles, particularly for girls. It was suggested that schools take a lead role in providing healthy foods and that governments invest in facilities for physical activity. Conclusions: In this transitioning environment, that is representative of many parts of India and other Lower Middle Income Countries (LMIC), people perceive a need for interventions to improve adolescent diet and physical activity. Caregivers clearly felt that they had a stake in adolescent health, and so we would recommend the involvement of both adolescents and caregivers in intervention design.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ramatoulie E Janha ◽  
Polly Hardy-Johnson ◽  
Sarah H Kehoe ◽  
Michael B Mendy ◽  
Isatou Camara ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To explore, from the perspectives of adolescents and caregivers, and using qualitative methods, influences on adolescent diet and physical activity in rural Gambia. Design: Six focus group discussions (FGD) with adolescents and caregivers were conducted. Thematic analysis was employed across the data set. Setting: Rural region of The Gambia, West Africa. Participants: Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Four FGD, conducted with forty adolescents, comprised: girls aged 10–12 years; boys aged 10–12 years; girls aged 15–17 years, boys aged 15–17 years. Twenty caregivers also participated in two FGD (mothers and fathers). Results: All participants expressed an understanding of the association between salt and hypertension, sugary foods and diabetes, and dental health. Adolescents and caregivers suggested that adolescent nutrition and health were shaped by economic, social and cultural factors and the local environment. Adolescent diet was thought to be influenced by: affordability, seasonality and the receipt of remittances; gender norms, including differences in opportunities afforded to girls, and mother-led decision-making; cultural ceremonies and school holidays. Adolescent physical activity included walking or cycling to school, playing football and farming. Participants felt adolescent engagement in physical activity was influenced by gender, seasonality, cultural ceremonies and, to some extent, the availability of digital media. Conclusions: These novel insights into local understanding should be considered when formulating future interventions. Interventions need to address these interrelated factors, including misconceptions regarding diet and physical activity that may be harmful to health.


2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
J.M. BEASLEY ◽  
M.A. SEVICK ◽  
L. KIRSHNER ◽  
M. MANGOLD ◽  
J. CHODOSH

Background: Through diet and exercise interventions, community centers offer an opportunity to address health-related issues for some of the oldest, most vulnerable members of our society. Objectives: The purpose of this investigation is to draw upon nationwide data to better characterize the population served by the congregate meals program and to gather more detailed information on a local level to identify opportunities for service enhancement to improve the health and well-being of older adults. Design: We examined community center data from two sources: 2015 National Survey of Older Americans Act and surveys from two New York City community centers. To assess nationwide service delivery, we analyzed participant demographics, functional status defined by activities of daily living, and perceptions of services received. Measurements: Participants from the two New York City community centers completed a four-day food record. Functional measures included the short physical performance battery, self-reported physical function, grip strength, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Results: Nationwide (n=901), most participants rated the meal quality as good to excellent (91.7%), and would recommend the congregate meals program to a friend (96.0%). Local level data (n=22) were collected for an in-depth understanding of diet, physical activity patterns, body weight, and objective functional status measures. Diets of this small, local convenience sample were higher in fat, cholesterol, and sodium, and lower in calcium, magnesium, and fiber than recommended by current United States Dietary Guidelines. Average time engaged in moderate physical activity was 254 minutes per week (SD=227), exceeding the recommended 150 minutes per week, but just 41% (n=9) and 50% (n=11) of participants engaged in strength or balance exercises, respectively. Conclusion: Research is warranted to test whether improvements in the nutritional quality of food served and access/supports for engaging in strength training within community centers could help older adults achieve diet and physical activity recommendations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Getandale Zeleke Negera ◽  
Dariowani Charles Epiphanio

Background. Nonadherence to lifestyle modification recommendations is a major challenge in the management of diabetes mellitus. This study was conducted to measure the prevalence and predictors of nonadherence to diet and physical activity recommendations among type 2 diabetes patients (T2D). Methods. A cross-sectional study involving 322 type 2 diabetes patients was conducted from April 1 to June 30, 2019. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured and pretested questionnaire. Data on sociodemographic, psychosocial, and clinical characteristics were collected. Descriptive analytical results were reported in text, tables, and figures. Logistic regression was conducted to identify predictors of nonadherence to diet and physical activity. Variables with p value ≤0.25 in bivariate logistic regression were considered as candidates for multivariable regression. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals together with p value <0.05 were used to declare statistical significance. Result. The rate of nonadherence to physical activity and diet was 64.3% and 36%, respectively. Female gender (AOR: 2.6, 95% CI [1.52–4.56]), age > 60 years (AOR: 2.9, 95% CI [1.12–7.42]), being illiterate (AOR: 4.2, 95% CI [1.86–9.73]), diabetes duration of >5 years (AOR: 2.5, 95% CI [1.42–4.41]), and lack of social support (AOR: 2.4, 95% CI [1.42–4.35]) were independent predictors of nonadherence to physical activity recommendations. Factors associated with nonadherence to dietary recommendations were being male (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI: [1.35–5.65]), age > 60 years (AOR = 6.3, 95% CI: [2.21–18.17]), khat chewing (AOR = 8.0, 95% CI: [3.86–16.7]), lack of social support (AOR = 15.26, 95% CI = [7.45–32.8]), and doctor’s instructions or advice regarding diet (AOR = 8.9, 95% CI = [4.26–18.9]). Conclusion. The rate of nonadherence to diet and physical activity recommendations was high in the study area. Predictors of nonadherence to physical activity are female gender, age > 60 years, being illiterate, diabetes duration of >5 years, and lack of social support. Predictors of nonadherence to diet are being male, khat chewing, lack of social support, and doctor’s instructions or advice regarding diet.


2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 836-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S. Tremblay ◽  
Dale W. Esliger ◽  
Jennifer L. Copeland ◽  
Joel D. Barnes ◽  
David R. Bassett

The paper briefly reviews the status and trends in physical activity, physical inactivity, and overweight/obesity in Canada; discusses the consequences of these trends; examines evidence that our frame of reference with respect to physical activity and obesity is changing; promotes the importance of getting “back to the basics” as a strategy for enhancing childhood physical activity; and provides suggestions for future research in this area. In addressing these topics, the paper explores and contrasts the lifestyles and characteristics of Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite children with children exposed to contemporary modern living. This exploration is used as a model to learn from traditional lifestyles, which were comparatively active and resistant to obesity. The fitness characteristics and physical activity levels of traditional and contemporary groups are compared and demonstrate significant differences among groups. This evidence may provide important insight for informing future physical activity recommendations. Idiosyncrasies of performing research on these traditional-living groups are also provided.


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