scholarly journals Socio-ecological influences of leisure-time physical activity among Nepalese adults: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Paudel ◽  
Alice J. Owen ◽  
Ben J. Smith

Abstract Background With economic and social changes, participation in occupational and transport-related physical activity is declining among Nepalese adults, highlighting the growing importance of leisure-time physical activity. However, limited information is available to guide public health policies and interventions to promote leisure-time physical activity in Nepal. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the socioecological influences of participation in leisure-time physical activity among Nepalese adults aged 40 years and above. Methods A total of 51 adults (30 females and 21 males) participated in one of the nine focus groups conducted in Kathmandu, Nepal. A semi-structured guide based on the social-ecological model of physical activity was used to facilitate these focus groups. Data were analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach in NVivo 12. Results Participation in leisure-time physical activity was minimal and leisure time was mostly spent resting, socialising, or engaging in sedentary activities such as watching television. Walking was the most common form of leisure-time physical activity, and men reported being more active than women. Individual-level barriers included lack of knowledge, lack of skill, lack of motivation, considering oneself as sufficiently active and engagement in sedentary screen activities. Family and household responsibilities, lack of support and fear of being judged constituted the interpersonal barriers while environmental barriers included an absence of a supportive social norm, lack of open spaces, weather conditions and perceived lack of safety. Health benefits, prioritising physical activity, social support, provision of group-based activities and age-appropriate public exercise facilities were identified as major facilitators. Conclusion Critical issues that need to be addressed to increase leisure-time physical activity among Nepalese adults include traditional gender roles, family and social support, and social norms. Modifications of the built environment, such as public exercise facilities, offer further opportunities and will require coordination beyond the health sector.

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 683-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla L. Dellaserra ◽  
Noe C. Crespo ◽  
Michael Todd ◽  
Jennifer Huberty ◽  
Sonia Vega-López

Background: The association between acculturation and physical activity (PA) among Mexican American (MA) adults is not understood. This study assessed potential mediating factors that may explain these associations among 75 healthy MA adults [age: 37.5 (9.3) y; 65.3% female]. Methods: Secondary data analysis using hierarchical logistic regression examined whether perceived environmental barriers, social support, and intention to exercise potentially mediated relationships between acculturation level, and total and leisure-time moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). Data were collected via questionnaire. Results: Most participants (67%) reported lower average household monthly incomes ($0–$3000), completed some college or obtained a college degree (64.4%), and were first generation immigrants (59%). Acculturation was associated with greater odds of engaging in total MVPA [odds ratio (OR) = 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2–2.4] and leisure-time MVPA (OR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1–1.2). Perceived environmental barriers were associated with greater odds of engaging in both total and leisure-time MVPA (OR = 4.3; 95% CI, 2.1–5.8 and OR = 5.5; 95% CI, 2.0–7.0, respectively), and social support was associated with greater odds for total MVPA (OR = 3.7; 95% CI, 1.1–6.4). Conclusions: Results provide preliminary evidence for mediating factors that may explain the relationship between acculturation level and PA among MA adults. Contradicting prior evidence, results suggest that PA engagement, despite perceived environmental barriers, is possible among MA adults having stronger social support.


2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 543-555
Author(s):  
Hui Xie ◽  
Linda L Caldwell ◽  
Steven Loy

Background: Latino grandparents are often involved in the care and rearing of grandchildren and may help parents in promoting children’s leisure time physical activity (LTPA). However, potential disagreements between grandparents and parents may undermine their collaboration and subsequently their support for children’s LTPA. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore Latino grandparents’ perception of disagreements with parents in children’s (age 2–12) LTPA. Methods: Qualitative data were collected from 53 Latino grandparents in Los Angeles County, USA, using four semi-structured focus groups and 26 semi-structured interviews. Transcribed data were systematically and iteratively coded and analysed. Results: Many Latino grandparents disagreed with parents’ sedentary lifestyle, permissive parenting and lack of support for children’s LTPA. In addition, Latino grandparents described disagreement with parents in specific issues such as children’s LTPA options and safety during LTPA. Conclusion: There were disagreements between Latino grandparents and parents concerning children’s LTPA. Health researchers and practitioners should be aware of those disagreements and consider using education/intervention programmes to reduce the tension between Latino grandparents and parents and increase their collaborative support for children’s LTPA.


2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrien Wijndaele ◽  
Lynn Matton ◽  
Nathalie Duvigneaud ◽  
Johan Lefevre ◽  
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Aldair J Oliveira ◽  
Claudia S Lopes ◽  
Antônio de Leon ◽  
Mikael Rostila ◽  
Rosane H Griep ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. 089011712096132
Author(s):  
Jaehyun Kim ◽  
Junhyoung Kim ◽  
Ronald D. Williams ◽  
Areum Han

Purpose: This study examined the relationship among social support, leisure time physical activity (LTPA), and mental health among people with cancer. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting and participants: Using the 2017 Health Information National Trends Survey, we extracted data of 504 respondents who had been diagnosed with any of the 22 types of cancer listed in the survey questionnaire. Measures: As independent variables, we assessed 3 different types of support: emotional, informational, and tangible support. As mediating and outcome variables, we measured LTPA and mental health, respectively. Analysis: Using AMOS version 22, a path analysis was conducted to measure model fit. A mediation test was then conducted using bootstrapping procedures. Results: The hypothesized model provided an acceptable fit to the data. Specifically, emotional support ( b = .15, p = .005), informational support ( b = .13, p = .008), tangible support ( b = .12, p = .010), and LTPA ( b = .14, p = .001) were significantly associated with mental health. We revealed a significant mediating effect of LPTA on the relationship between emotional support and mental health (Estimate = .037, 95% CI = .001–.098, p < .05). Conclusion: Social support and LTPA played a significant role in promoting mental health among people with cancer. In particular, the results confirmed that individuals with cancer who reported receiving emotional support tended to engage in LTPA and thus reported better mental health.


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e016946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thamra Alghafri ◽  
Saud M Alharthi ◽  
Yahya Mohd Al Farsi ◽  
Elaine Bannerman ◽  
Angela Mary Craigie ◽  
...  

ObjectivesPhysical activity is fundamental in diabetes management for good metabolic control. This study aimed to identify barriers to performing leisure time physical activity and explore differences based on gender, age, marital status, employment, education, income and perceived stages of change in physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes in Oman.DesignCross-sectional study using an Arabic version of the ‘Barriers to Being Active’ 27-item questionnaire.SettingSeventeen primary health centres randomly selected in Muscat.ParticipantsIndividuals>18 years with type 2 diabetes, attending diabetes clinic for >2 years and with no contraindications to performing physical activity.Primary and secondary outcome measuresParticipants were asked to rate how far different factors influenced their physical activity under the following categories: fear of injury, lack of time, social support, energy, willpower, skills, resources, religion and environment. On a scale of 0–9, barriers were considered important if scored ≥5.ResultsA total of 305 questionnaires were collected. Most (96%) reported at least one barrier to performing leisure time physical activity. Lack of willpower (44.4%), lack of resources (30.5%) and lack of social support (29.2%) were the most frequently reported barriers. Using χ2test, lack of willpower was significantly different in individuals with low versus high income (54.2%vs40%, P=0.002) and in those reporting inactive versus active stages of change for physical activity (50.7%vs34.7%, P=0.029), lack of resources was significantly different in those with low versus high income (40%vs24.3%, P=0.004) and married versus unmarried (33.8%vs18.5%, P=0.018). Lack of social support was significant in females versus males (35.4%vs20.8%, P=0.005).ConclusionsThe findings can inform the design on physical activity intervention studies by testing the impact of strategies which incorporate ways to address reported barriers including approaches that enhance self-efficacy and social support.


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 871-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inacio Crochemore Mohnsam da Silva ◽  
Mario Renato Azevedo ◽  
Helen Gonçalves

Objective:To explore the association between family and friends’ social support and leisure-time physical activity (PA) in adults.Methods:Cross-sectional population-based study, conducted in Pelotas, Brazil. Leisure-time PA was measured with the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Those who reported PA practice ≥ 150 minutes on the week before the interview were considered active. Social support was evaluated through the Social Support Scale for PA and classified according to the type of PA. For analyzing the association between social support and PA, Poisson regression model was used. Analyses were stratified by sex and interactions with socioeconomic level and age were explored.Results:Men and women who received social support from family and friends simultaneously were about 3 times more active than their counterparts. Friends’ social support presented, in all analyses, stronger associations with PA than family support. Interactions with socioeconomic level and age were observed.Conclusion:Interventions targeting individuals and their social environment are likely to have greater effectiveness than those targeted on one of these aspects only.


2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 504-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Kanu ◽  
Elizabeth Baker ◽  
Ross C. Brownson

Objective:This study tested associations between church-based instrumental and informational social support and meeting physical activity guidelines.Methods:Cross-sectional data were analyzed for 1625 rural residents using logistic regression.Results:Associations were found between instrumental social support and performing some amount of physical activity but not between the 2 forms of support and meeting physical activity guidelines.Conclusion:Instrumental social support might help initiation of physical activity. Given that 54.1% of US adults get no leisure-time physical activity at the recommended minimum level, instrumental social support might be important in considering physical activity programs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 599-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Wendt Böhm ◽  
Grégore Iven Mielke ◽  
Maurício Feijó da Cruz ◽  
Virgílio Viana Ramires ◽  
Fernando C. Wehrmeister

Background:Physical inactivity in elderly is a public health problem. The purpose of this study is to describe and test the association between social support and leisure-time physical activity among the elderly.Methods:A cross-sectional, population-based study with 1,285 subjects (60+ years old) living in a city in southern Brazil was carried out in 2014. Physical activity practice was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire [leisure domain: at least 150 minutes per week of walking + moderate physical activity + 2(vigorous physical activity)], while social support was measured using the Physical Activity Social Support Scale.Results:The prevalence of elderly who reached the recommendations of leisure-time physical activity was 18.4%. The elderly persons who had the company of family or friends to walk had a 2.45 times higher prevalence of reaching the recommendations of physical activity in leisure than those who did not. Those who had company of friends to practice moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were 3.23 times more likely to reach physical activity recommendations than their counterparts. The least common social support was the joint practice for walking and for MVPA.Conclusions:Strategies that incentivize family members and friends to provide social support to the elderly for physical activity focusing on joint practice must be encouraged.


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