Perceived barriers and facilitators for increasing the physical activity of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy: a focus group study

ObjectivesClinical guidelines recommend regular physical activity for patients with heart failure to improve functional capacity and symptoms and to reduce hospitalisation. Cardiac rehabilitation programmes have demonstrated success in this regard; however, uptake and adherence are suboptimal. Home-based physical activity programmes have gained popularity to address these issues, although it is acknowledged that their ability to provide personalised support will impact on their effectiveness. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to engagement and adherence to a home-based physical activity programme, and to identify ways in which it could be integrated into the care pathway for patients with heart failure.DesignA qualitative focus group study was conducted. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ParticipantsA purposive sample of 16 patients, 82% male, aged 68±7 years, with heart failure duration of 10±9 years were recruited.InterventionA 12-week behavioural intervention targeting physical activity was delivered once per week by telephone.ResultsTen main themes were generated that provided a comprehensive overview of the active ingredients of the intervention in terms of engagement and adherence. Fear of undertaking physical activity was reported to be a significant barrier to engagement. Influences of family members were both barriers and facilitators to engagement and adherence. Facilitators included endorsement of the intervention by clinicians knowledgeable about physical activity in the context of heart failure; ongoing support and personalised feedback from team members, including tailoring to meet individual needs, overcome barriers and increase confidence.ConclusionsEndorsement of interventions by clinicians to reduce patients’ fear of undertaking physical activity and individual tailoring to overcome barriers are necessary for long-term adherence. Encouraging family members to attend consultations to address misconceptions and fear about the contraindications of physical activity in the context of heart failure should be considered for adherence, and peer-support for long-term maintenance.Trial registration numberNCT03677271.

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Physical Activity Barriers and Facilitators Among US Pacific Islanders and the Feasibility of Using Mobile Technologies for Intervention: A Focus Group Study With Tongan Americans

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2017-0014 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 287-294 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Neng Wan ◽

Ming Wen ◽

Jessie X. Fan ◽

O. Fahina Tavake-Pasi ◽

Sara McCormick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Focus Group ◽

Pacific Islanders ◽

Barriers And Facilitators ◽

Mobile Technologies ◽

Focus Group Study

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Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Perceptions of Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation: A Focus Group Study

Nicotine & Tobacco Research ◽

10.1093/ntr/ntv020 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 17 (10) ◽

pp. 1235-1241 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Deepa R. Camenga ◽

Dana A. Cavallo ◽

Grace Kong ◽

Meghan E. Morean ◽

Christian M. Connell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Young Adults ◽

Focus Group ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Focus Group Study

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Understanding adolescents’ and young adults’ self-perceptions after cancer treatment in the context of a two-arm, mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled physical activity trial

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-020-05974-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amanda Wurz ◽

Jenson Price ◽

Jennifer Brunet

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Self Perceptions ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

After Cancer

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Obesity in Children and Adolescents during COVID-19 Pandemic

Children ◽

10.3390/children8020135 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 135

Author(s):

Androniki Stavridou ◽

Evangelia Kapsali ◽

Eleni Panagouli ◽

Athanasios Thirios ◽

Konstantinos Polychronis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Care Providers ◽

Weight Changes ◽

Sugary Drinks ◽

Precautionary Measures ◽

Obesity In Children

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to special circumstances and changes to everyday life due to the worldwide measures that were imposed such as lockdowns. This review aims to evaluate obesity in children, adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A literature search was conducted to evaluate pertinent studies up to 10 November 2020. Results: A total of 15 articles were eligible; 9 identified 17,028,111 children, adolescents and young adults from 5–25 years old, 5 pertained to studies with an age admixture (n = 20,521) and one study included parents with children 5–18 years old (n = 584). During the COVID-19 era, children, adolescents and young adults gained weight. Changes in dietary behaviors, increased food intake and unhealthy food choices including potatoes, meat and sugary drinks were noted during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity associated with financial reasons represents another concern. Moreover, as the restrictions imposed reduced movements out of the house, physical activity was limited, representing another risk factor for weight gain. Conclusions: COVID-19 restrictions disrupted the everyday routine of children, adolescents and young adults and elicited changes in their eating behaviors and physical activity. To protect them, health care providers should highlight the risk of obesity and provide prevention strategies, ensuring also parental participation. Worldwide policies, guidelines and precautionary measures should ideally be established.

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Physical Activity in First Generation South Asian Women Living in Canada: Barriers and Facilitators to Participation

Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal ◽

10.1123/wspaj.2015-0019 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 110-119 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kiruthika Rathanaswami ◽

Enrique Garcia Bengoechea ◽

Paula Louise Bush

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Focus Group ◽

South Asian ◽

Living Environment ◽

Barriers And Facilitators ◽

Asian Women ◽

South Asian Women ◽

Family Responsibilities ◽

Women Employees ◽

The Individual

The aim of this study was to understand the physical activity (PA) experiences of South Asian women employees and their perceptions of new immigrant South Asian women in regards to barriers and facilitators to participation. This was examined using an interpretive description approach where similarities and differences between South Asian Women’s Centre employees and their perception of new South Asian immigrants were explored. Eight South Asian women employees (Mean age = 45.57 years) working at a South Asian Women’s Centre in Canada participated in this study. Five South Asian women employees participated in a focus group, three in an individual interview and one participant from the focus group took part in a follow-up interview to better understand their PA experiences. Barriers found included: family responsibilities, upbringing, feeling guilty, immediate living environment, clothing, cost, and location of activity. PA facilitators found included: help at home, cultural sports events, group support, female only programs, design of PA facilities, health and self-image benefits, providing PA for children at the same time as adults and collaborations. The main differences found between South Asian Women’s Centre employees and their clients concerned time, language and their partners. For this population of women, programs need to be affordable, close to home, female only and allow their own choice of clothing. The results suggest the importance for those working with South Asian women to take into consideration the many factors between the individual and the environment that may inhibit or facilitate PA behavior change in this population.

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