Understanding Physical Activity through the Experiences of Adolescent Girls

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hope E. Yungblut ◽  
Robert J. Schinke ◽  
Kerry R. McGannon ◽  
Mark A. Eys
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Adolescent Females ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Early Adolescent ◽  
Late Adolescent ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Physical Activity Programming ◽  
Gender Specific

Researchers have found that female youths are particularly vulnerable to withdrawing from sport and physical activity programs in early adolescence (see Active Healthy Kids Canada, 2010). However, there is an absence of a comprehensive, emic description of how female adolescents experience physical activity. Open-ended, semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with 15 early adolescent females (12–14 years old) and 20 middle and late adolescent females (15–18years old). Co-participants in the mid to late adolescent cohort provided retrospective accounts of their early adolescent experiences along with insight on how their experiences shaped their current participation. The girls’ voices were brought to the forefront through composite vignettes that highlight their physical activity experiences, integrating the words used by the co-participants. Results are discussed in relation to physical activity programming for adolescent females and why a qualitative approach is useful in contributing to gender-specific physical activity programming.

scholarly journals The role of physical activity enjoyment in the pathways from the social and physical environments to physical activity of early adolescent girls

2018 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 6-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth L. Budd ◽  
Amy McQueen ◽  
Amy A. Eyler ◽  
Debra Haire-Joshu ◽  
Wendy F. Auslander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Early Adolescent ◽  
Physical Environments ◽  
The Social ◽  
Activity Enjoyment

Dysmenorrhoea among Adolescent Females Attending a Suburban Medical College in West Bengal, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (29) ◽  
pp. 2171-2175
Author(s):  
Shelley Seth
Keyword(s):  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
School Health ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Adolescent Females ◽  
The Body ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical College

BACKGROUND Dysmenorrhoea is the most common gynaecological problem. Almost half of the female adolescents suffer from it resulting in a major cause of school / college absenteeism. We tried to find out the prevalence of dysmenorrhoea among female adolescents in a suburban population and investigate a potential association between the body mass index, dietary habits and behavioural factors and its correlation with absenteeism. METHODS A cross sectional study was done on 270 adolescent females attending outpatient department of a suburban medical college. We interviewed the selected adolescent girls using a pretested semi structured questionnaire after obtaining their or their parents consent. Statistical analysis was done using frequencies, percentages and chi square test with statistical software package SPSS version 20. RESULTS Total 270 unmarried adolescent girls were interviewed. Among them 51.1 % girls suffered from dysmenorrhoea. 58.7 % patients suffered from mild dysmenorrhoea whereas 27.5 % and 13.8 % suffered from moderate and severe dysmenorrhoea respectively. 59.02 % of girls with normal BMI and 54.55 % of obese girls suffered from dysmenorrhoea. Only 16 % patients with mild dysmenorrhoea were absent from their school or college whereas 63.1 % and 84.2 % of patients with moderate to severe dysmenorrhoea had school or college absenteeism respectively. 74.47 % of patients used to take self-medication. CONCLUSIONS Dysmenorrhoea was a significant cause of absenteeism and habit of self-medication was prevalent. Introduction of a school health program for menstrual health might improve the issues. KEY WORDS Menstruation, Dysmenorrhoea, Adolescents

Evaluation of a rural community’s approaches to promoting physical activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristi M. King ◽  
Jason A. Rice ◽  
Ian Maki
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Funding Agency ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Healthy Community ◽  
Physical Activity Programming

To address the lack of physical activity opportunities in their rural community, a non-profit coali-tion formed to address health disparities. This evaluation investigated the coalition’s effectiveness in movingtoward sustainable physical activity programming for all community members. Participants engaged insemi-structured interviews or focus groups, and observations and informal conversations were conductedat approximately 30 meetings (e.g., town hall), programs (e.g., funding agency meetings), and events(e.g., two fundraising galas). A commitment to partnerships, the diversity of coalition member’s expertise,a focus on equity, and the recognition that a healthy community is economically attractive positioned thecoalition for success.

scholarly journals Nurses' work in intensive care units: feelings of suffering

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Júlia Trevisan Martins ◽  
Maria Lúcia do Carmo Cruz Robazzi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Defense Strategies

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feelings of suffering that Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses experience, and the strategies they use to face these feelings. It is a descriptive study using a qualitative approach and based on content analysis. The study used previous studies on Work Psychodynamics as complementary groundwork. Data collection occurred by means of semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed, categorized, and subcategorized. Results showed that suffering is related to: taking care of a young patient in critical condition, taking problems home, the patient's family, the team's work, and technology at work. As for the defense strategies used, emphasis is given to the search for strength in religion, promoting inter-relationships among team members, engaging in physical activity, and withdrawing from the patient.

Go Grrrls: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Gender-Specific Intervention to Reduce Sexual Risk Factors in Middle School Females

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Winston LeCroy ◽  
Jenny McCullough Cosgrove ◽  
Katie Cotter ◽  
Marie Fordney
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
School Context ◽  
Adolescent Females ◽  
Early Adolescent ◽  
Specific Intervention ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Gender Specific

Purpose. Adolescent females continue to face health consequences associated with risky sexual behaviors such as unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a gender-specific intervention targeted to early adolescent females. Method. This study used an intent to treat randomized clinical trial comparing a broad-based female empowerment curriculum with a dose-matched science and technology female leadership curriculum. The sample ( N = 801) was recruited from schools and was implemented in community-based settings mostly in an after school context. Assessments were conducted at baseline, postintervention, 6-, and 18-month follow-up time periods. Results. Both groups in the study obtained good implementation and engagement. The average attendance rate was 81% of program sessions. There were significant differences between the two groups favoring the intervention group on measures of sexually transmitted disease knowledge and condom technical skills. On a measure of condom self-efficacy, there was a significant trend. At the postassessment, there was a significant difference on the intentions to reduce sexual risk behaviors. Both the intervention and control groups made gains on the self-assertive behavior scale. Conclusions. Gender-specific programs for early adolescent females can help reduce indicators that are related to sexual risk reduction. More long-term follow-up is needed to assess impact on sexual behaviors. Efforts directed at a younger population of females should continue to be researched for potential in reducing sexual risks.

Physical Activity among Adolescent Females: Racial Differences

1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-97
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Bungum ◽  
Murray Vincent
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
African American ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Adolescent Females ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Older Adolescents ◽  
Study Participants

Purposes of this study included the identification of physical activity (PA) levels, and the types of activity, as well as the determination of racial differences in these factors between African-American (AA) (n=626) and White (WH) (n=226) adolescent females.PA was measured using a one week recall. Approximately 1/2 of WH and 1/3 of AA female adolescents were sufficiently physically active (Blair, 1992) to produce health benefits. Less than twenty-five percent of study participants met a newly established guideline addressing moderate to vigorous PA (Sallis & Patrick, 1994). Younger adolescents were more active than older adolescents.Accounting for differences in age and socioeconomic status WH females were more active than AA females. African-American and WH females participated in similar types of activity. Walking was the most frequently cited mode of activity.

scholarly journals Multilevel Correlates of Physical Activity for Early, Mid, and Late Adolescent Girls

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 950-960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Young ◽  
Brit I. Saksvig ◽  
Tong Tong Wu ◽  
Kathleen Zook ◽  
Xia Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
School Level ◽  
Late Adolescent ◽  
8Th Grade ◽  
11Th Grade

Background:We examined associations among multilevel variables and girls’ physical activity to determine whether they vary at different adolescent ages.Methods:All field sites of the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls contributed participants from 6th (n = 1576) and 8th grades (n = 3085). The Maryland site contributed an 11th grade sample (n = 589). Questionnaires were used to obtain demographic and psychosocial information (individual- and social-level variables); height, weight, and triceps skinfold to assess body composition; interviews and surveys for school-level data; and geographical information systems and self-report for neighborhood-level variables. Moderate to vigorous physical activity minutes (MVPA) were assessed from accelerometers. Mixed models (13 individual, 5 social, 15 school, 12 neighborhood variables) were used to determine multilevel associations.Results:Variables at individual, social, school, and neighborhood levels were associated with MVPA, but differed across grades. Lower percent body fat, higher social support from friends, and lower school math scores were associated with higher MVPA at 6th and 8th grade. Higher physical activity self-efficacy was associated with higher MVPA at 11th grade. Only lower physical activity barriers were associated with higher MVPA at all grades.Conclusion:MVPA is a complex behavior with fluid, multilevel correlates that differ among girls across middle and high school.

Psychosocial factors influencing the disclosure of sexually transmissible infection diagnoses among female adolescents

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shayna D. Cunningham ◽  
Todd Meyers ◽  
Deanna Kerrigan ◽  
Jonathan M. Ellen
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Partner Notification ◽  
Adolescent Females ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Sex Partners ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
African American Adolescent ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Background: Individuals diagnosed with a sexually transmissible infection (STI) often face psychosocial concerns through which they must navigate to arrive at disclosure decisions. The objective of this study was to qualitatively explore the decision-making process for disclosure of STI diagnoses to sex partners among adolescent females in Baltimore City, MD. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 African American adolescent females who tested positive for chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea in the previous 3 months. Three individuals also provided audio diaries in which they tape recorded a daily journal discussing their lives and experiences with STIs. Results: Female adolescents often do not notify all potentially infected sex partners or tell sex partners all of the STIs to which they may have been exposed. Although participants recognised the importance of informing their sex partner(s) of their STI diagnosis, there were other competing psychosocial factors that influenced their decisions to disclose, such as perceptions of the social consequences of having an STI including fear of stigmatisation and loss of relationship. Such concerns appear to vary by disease and partner type as well as previous STI experience. Conclusions: To increase disclosure of STI diagnoses, clinic counselling strategies to encourage partner notification should seek to engage patients in a dialogue regarding their fears related to their diagnoses, how this might affect their relationships with different types of partners and the individual and social meanings their specific STI diagnosis(es) might hold.

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