scholarly journals Gendered trends in young people’s participation in active lifestyles: The need for a gender-neutral narrative

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 535-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Nicola Metcalfe ◽  
Iain Lindsey
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Gender Neutral ◽  
Active Lifestyles ◽  
Gendered Bodies

Gendered differences in participation in active lifestyles (encompassing sport, physical activity, and physical education) are well established, with young men typically participating in more activities than young women. This paper uses a theoretical approach inspired by Bourdieu’s notions of habitus, field and capital to explore the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of these differences. Drawing on mixed-methods data obtained from questionnaires ( n = 332) and semi-structured interviews with 33 young men and 37 young women aged 15–16, we present two gendered trends which explain gendered differences in active lifestyle participation. Firstly, in this research, young men participated in more activities than young women, viewing their participation as integral to their identity, their sense of self. Young women, in contrast, viewed sport as an ‘optional’ extra, something they could do, if they wished. Secondly, in relation to the differences in the type of activities participated in, young men were more likely to participate in traditional team sports, whereas young women chose to engage in gym/fitness activities to promote appearance and feminine attractiveness. We argue that the gendered norms which dictate ‘appropriate’ gendered active identities are damaging to both young men and women who may wish to deviate from these norms. Social capital is allocated to gendered bodies in accordance with these norms, influencing how young people are viewed in their social hierarchies. A gender-neutral narrative which destabilises gendered sporting norms whilst simultaneously celebrating diversity is needed to promote a safe and inclusive environment where all young men and women can engage in sufficient physical activity.

scholarly journals Types of students’ physical activity in a higher educational institution

2021 ◽  
pp. 88-92
Author(s):  
Lyudmila Petruk ◽  
Oleh Fedorovych ◽  
Iryna Biruk ◽  
Elena Sinitsyna ◽  
Lyudmila Zarichanska
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Young Men ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Individual Sports ◽  
Academic Year

This article presents the results of the questionnaire and comparison, which allows determining the interest of first-year students in different types of physical activity at the National University of Water and Environmental Engineering. The purpose of the study is to determine students’ interest in different types of physical activity offered as part of physical education in a higher educational institution. According to their preferences, first-year students are suggested to choose either team sports (football, mini-football, volleyball, basketball), individual sports (table tennis, athletics, arm wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, swimming, chess, and checkers), or fitness activities for physical education classes in an educational institution. The comparative analysis of the obtained data demonstrates the pattern of an increase from 65.1% in the 2015-2016 academic year to 71.0% in the 2020-2021 academic year in the number of young men, who have chosen and are engaged in a certain sport in an educational institution, and decrease from 34.9% in the 2015-2016 academic year to 29.0% in the 2020-2021 academic year in the number of young women interested in physical activity at the university. Within five years, the number of young men choosing team sports has decreased from 75.6% in the 2015-2016 academic year to 63.3% in the 2020-2021 academic year, and the number of young men interested in individual sports has increased from 24.4 % in the 2015-2016 academic year to 36.7% in the 2020-2021 academic year. Fitness classes remain the most popular among female students, although there has been a decrease in the number of young women choosing it for physical education from 83.3% to 71.8% over five years. Team sports are gaining more popularity among first-year female students with only 5.3% choosing them as part of physical education in an educational institution in the 2015-2016 academic year, to 10.2% in the 2020-2021 academic year. A gradual interest in individual sports from 11.4% to 18.0% is observed in young women over five years.

scholarly journals Diet, Exercise, Lifestyle, and Mental Distress among Young and Mature Men and Women: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Lina Begdache ◽  
Saloumeh Sadeghzadeh ◽  
Gia Derose ◽  
Cassandra Abrams
Keyword(s):  
Young Women ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Brain Morphology ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Caffeine Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Negatively Associated

Customization of mental health therapies needs to consider the differences in degree of brain maturity between young (18–29 years) and mature (30 years or older) adults as well as brain morphology among men and women. The aim of this study was to identify the significant dietary and lifestyle contributors to mental distress in these sub-populations. Independent repeated cross-sectional sampling was performed for over a 5-year period (2014–2019) to collect data from different populations at different time-points and seasons. A backward stepwise regression analysis was used on 2628 records. Mental distress in young women was associated with high consumption of caffeine and fast-food, and it was negatively correlated with moderate-high levels of exercise as well as frequent breakfast consumption. Mature women shared several common factors with young women; however, high fruit consumption was negatively associated with mental distress. For young men, high exercise, moderate consumption of dairy, and moderate-high intake of meat were negatively associated with mental distress. In addition, high fast-food and caffeine consumption were positively associated with mental distress in young men. For mature men, strong negative associations between higher education, moderate intake of nuts and mental distress surfaced. Our results support the need to customize dietary and lifestyle recommendations to improve mental wellbeing.

scholarly journals Exploring contraception myths and misconceptions among young men and women in Kwale County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson Mwaisaka ◽  
Lianne Gonsalves ◽  
Mary Thiongo ◽  
Michael Waithaka ◽  
Hellen Sidha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Women ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Modern Contraceptive ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Modern Contraception ◽  
Contraceptive Knowledge ◽  
Future Fertility ◽  
Contraceptive Uptake

Abstract Background Myths and misconceptions around modern contraceptives have been associated with low contraceptive uptake in sub-Saharan Africa and Kenya in particular. Addressing persistent contraceptive knowledge gaps can make a significant contribution towards improved contraceptive uptake among young women. This qualitative study therefore sought to explore and understand young people’s knowledge of modern contraception and to identify their key concerns regarding these methods. Methods We used focus group discussions (FGD) with vignette and writing activities to explore key myths and misconceptions around the use of contraceptives. Six FGDs (three for young men and three for young women) were conducted with a total of 28 young women and 30 young men from Kwale County, Kenya. We included 10 discussants aged 18–24 per FGD, one FGD had 8 participants. Predefined codes reflecting the discussion guides and emerging issues in the FGDs were used to develop the thematic coding framework. Our analysis followed a pattern of association on the key preset themes focusing on myths and misconceptions around contraceptive use. Results Results are presented under four key themes: awareness of contraception, myths and misconceptions around contraception, males’ contraceptive narratives and young people’s preferred sources of contraceptives. Both men and women participants reported basic awareness of contraceptives. A mixture of biological and social misconceptions were discussed and included perceptions that modern contraception: jeopardized future fertility, could result in problems conceiving or birth defects, made women promiscuous, was ‘un-African’, and would deny couples their sexual freedom. Compared to female respondents in the study, young men appeared to be strong believers of the perceived socio-cultural effects of contraceptives. On preferred sources of contraceptives, respondents reported on two main sources, pharmacies and public hospitals, however, they could not agree on which one was suitable for them. Conclusions This study revealed the presence of a mixture of biological and social myths and misconceptions around contraception, with young men also strongly adhering to these misconceptions. The low level of contraceptive knowledge, particularly on contraceptive fears as revealed by the study demonstrate critical gaps in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge among young people. Improved SRH literacy to address contraceptives’ fears through appropriate and gender specific interventions to reach out to young men and women with factual SRH information may therefore contribute to increased uptake of SRH services including modern contraceptive methods.

Disordered eating behaviours and sedentary lifestyle prevention among young Mexicans: A pilot study

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 872-883
Author(s):  
Teresita de Jesús Saucedo-Molina ◽  
Martín Villarreal Castillo ◽  
Luz Alejandra Oliva Macías ◽  
Claudia Unikel Santoncini ◽  
Rebeca María Elena Guzmán Saldaña
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young People ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Sedentary Lifestyle ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Healthy Menus

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a universal prevention programme for disordered eating behaviours (DEB) and sedentary lifestyle among Mexican young people. Design: Non-experimental single group field study with repeated measures (pre-test, post-test and at 6-month follow-up). Setting: Public high school in Hidalgo, Mexico. Methods: In all, 214 young women and 154 young men aged 15–18 years with a mean age of 16.4 participated in the study. For both young women and men, data were collected using the Brief Questionnaire for Disordered Eating Behaviours (DEB) and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Among young men, additional data were collected using the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS). Intervention: Five activity-based sessions. In the first four sessions, the following topics were addressed: thinness culture, myths and realities of dieting and supplements, healthy eating behaviours and healthy menus. At the end of each session, students engaged in an enjoyable physical activity hour. In the fifth session, participants were divided into three parallel workshop groups focusing on: thinness culture, healthy menus, and physical activity. The programme incorporated a variety of dissonance-based interventions using interactive psychoeducational strategies. Results: After 6 months, repeated-measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) revealed a significant reduction in the mean DEB scores in young women. In young men, DEB and DMS mean scores decreased but not significantly. Physical activity frequency and duration showed a significant increase in the total sample over time. Conclusions: Overall, implementation of the programme had positive effects on young people and important differences were found between the sexes.

Gender, Family Resources, and Success in Science

1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
SANDRA L. HANSON
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Science Achievement ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Total Effect ◽  
Family Resources ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Trajectory Models

This research examines the effect of gender and family resources on success in multiple areas of science. Science experiences are measured using longitudinal science trajectories. Findings show that young women are less likely than young men to persist in science, whether it is science achievement, access, or attitudes. Large numbers of women permanently exit the science pipeline after their sophomore year of high school. However, results from the science trajectory models show that among men and women who are equally qualified, women are not necessarily less likely to persist in science. Results also show that young men have more family resources than young women and some of the total effect of gender on science experiences involves an indirect effect through family resources. In addition, gender interacts with family resources with the effects of many resources being stronger for women than for men.

scholarly journals “I don’t know how to explain it” Narratives on contraceptives among young men and women in Kwale County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson Mwaisaka ◽  
Lianne Gonsalves ◽  
Mary Thiongo ◽  
Michael Waithaka ◽  
Hellen Sidha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Women ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Modern Contraceptive ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Cultural Effects ◽  
Future Fertility ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Prevention Methods ◽  
Contraceptive Uptake

Abstract BackgroundMyths and misconceptions around modern contraceptives have been associated with low contraceptive uptake. Nearly all the research on the link between contraceptives’ misconceptions and low contraceptive prevalence comes mostly from women with little focus on men. This qualitative study therefore sought to explore and understand both young men’s and young women’s knowledge of modern contraception and to identify key concerns regarding modern pregnancy prevention methods.MethodsWe used focus group discussions (FGD) with vignette and writing activities to explore key myths and misconceptions around the use of contraceptives. Six FGDs (three for young men and three for young women) were conducted with a total of 28 young women and 30 young men from Kwale County, Kenya. We included 10 discussants aged 18-24 per FGD, one FGD had 8 participants.ResultsBoth men and women participants reported basic awareness of contraceptives. A mixture of biological and social misconceptions around contraception were discussed, they included jeopardizing future fertility, prolonged menstrual bleeding, problems conceiving, birth defects, promiscuity, against religion and perceived to be un-African including denying couples their sexual freedom. Compared to female respondents in the study, men appeared to be strong believers of the perceived socio-cultural effects of contraceptives. Results are presented under three key themes namely (i) Awareness of contraception (ii) Myths and misconceptions around contraception and (iii) Males’ contraceptive narratives. Conclusions Improved sexual and reproductive health (SRH) literacy to address contraceptives’ fears through appropriate and gender specific interventions to reach out to young men and women with factual SRH information may contribute to increased uptake of SRH services including modern contraceptive methods.

scholarly journals Attitudes to Social and Political Advertising Among Russian Youth

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
E. Vlasenkova ◽  
M. Gagarina
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Study ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Public Transport ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Semantic Differential ◽  
Political Advertising ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Social Advertising

The article presents the results of an empirical study of the characteristics of the evaluation of social and political advertising by young men and women. In total 96 respondents aged 18 to 22 years (M = 18.7; SD = 0.92) took part in research. The semantic differential was used as a research method; respondents were asked to evaluate two photographs depicting social and political advertising on public transport. By comparing the average estimates of social and political advertising, it was found that political advertising as a whole is evaluated more negatively than social advertising. Young men evaluate social advertising more positively than young women. There were no significant differences in the assessment of political advertising between the two genders.

scholarly journals Exploring contraception myths and misconceptions among young men and women in Kwale County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson Mwaisaka ◽  
Lianne Gonsalves ◽  
Mary Thiongo ◽  
Michael Waithaka ◽  
Hellen Sidha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Modern Contraceptive ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Future Fertility ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Prevention Methods

Abstract Background: Myths and misconceptions around modern contraceptives have been associated with low contraceptive uptake. Nearly all the research on the link between contraceptives’ misconceptions and low contraceptive prevalence comes mostly from women with little focus on men. This qualitative study therefore sought to explore and understand both young men’s and young women’s knowledge of modern contraception and to identify key concerns regarding modern pregnancy prevention methods.Methods: We used focus group discussions (FGD) with vignette and writing activities to explore key myths and misconceptions around the use of contraceptives. Six FGDs (three for young men and three for young women) were conducted with a total of 28 young women and 30 young men from Kwale County, Kenya. We included 10 discussants aged 18-24 per FGD, one FGD had 8 participants.Results: Both men and women participants reported basic awareness of contraceptives. A mixture of biological and social misconceptions around contraception were discussed, they included jeopardizing future fertility, prolonged menstrual bleeding, problems conceiving, birth defects, promiscuity, against religion and perceived to be un-African including denying couples their sexual freedom. Compared to female respondents in the study, young men appeared to be strong believers of the perceived socio-cultural effects of contraceptives. Results are presented under three key themes namely (i) Awareness of contraception (ii) Myths and misconceptions around contraception and (iii) Males’ contraceptive narratives. Conclusions: This study revealed a low level of contraceptive knowledge among young men and women in Kwale County, Kenya. Most respondents reported contraceptive fears and misconceptions resulting from critical gaps in Sexual and Reproductive Health knowledge. Improved sexual and reproductive health (SRH) literacy to address contraceptives’ fears through appropriate and gender specific interventions to reach out to young men and women with factual SRH information may contribute to increased uptake of SRH services including modern contraceptive methods.

scholarly journals Bodies of concern? A qualitative exploration of eating, moving and embodiment in young mothers

2021 ◽  
pp. 136345932110607
Author(s):  
Grace Lucas ◽  
Ellinor K Olander ◽  
Debra Salmon
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Young Mothers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Area Of Concern ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

In some countries, including the United Kingdom, young mothers’ pregnant and postnatal bodies remain an area of concern for policy and practice, with interventions developed to support improved health behaviours including diet and physical activity. This article explores what young women themselves think and feel about eating and moving during and after pregnancy. Semi-structured interviews with 11 young mothers were conducted within two voluntary organisations. Data were analysed using thematic analysis with the theoretical lens of embodiment, which provided an understanding of how young women’s eating and moving habits related to how they felt about their bodies in the world. Four themes situated in different experiences of being and having a body were identified: pregnant body, emotional body, social body and surveilled body. Stress and low mood impacted eating habits as young women responded to complex circumstances and perceived judgement about their lives. Food choices were influenced by financial constraints and shaped by the spaces and places in which young women lived. Whilst young women were busy moving in their day-to-day lives, they rarely had the resources to take part in other physical activity. Holistic approaches that focus on how women feel about their lives and bodies and ask them where they need support are required from professionals. Interventions that address the structural influences on poor diet and inequalities in physical activity participation are necessary to underpin this. Approaches that over-focus on the achievement of individual health behaviours may fail to improve long-term health and risk reinforcing young women’s disadvantage.

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