Parents' Perceptions on Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity among Schoolchildren: A Qualitative Study.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Alcántara-Porcuna, Vanesa Sánchez-López, Mairena Martínez-Vizcaíno, Vicente Martínez-Andrés, María Ruiz-Hermosa, Abel Rodríguez-Martín, Beatriz
Editor	Gallego, Damián Iglesias del Barco, Benito León
Copyright Year	2021
Abstract	Given that physical activity (PA) plays an important role in early childhood, understanding the factors that affect the practice of PA at an early age could help develop effective strategies for overcoming barriers and increasing activity levels in this age group. A qualitative study was conducted based on grounded theory aimed at exploring the perceptions of mothers and fathers from Cuenca and Ciudad Real (Castilla La Mancha, Spain) regarding barriers and facilitators of physical activity of their children during the adiposity rebound period. Data were collected using focus groups involving 46 parents of children in the 3rd grade of pre-school and 1st grade of elementary school. During the analysis, the socio-ecological model and grounded theory were used. The barriers encountered were the preferences of children for sedentary activities (individual factors), academic tasks as a main priority of parents, the influence of older siblings and the unfavorable school environment (microsystem), the lack of family conciliation (mesosystem), and barriers related to the built environment or lack of facilities for physical activity (exosystem). Facilitators were the preferences for active games (individual factors), parental models including the co-participation of parents in activities, the influence of friends, living in large homes, the support provided by teachers and the school (microsystem), living in rural areas, having sufficient facilities, favorable weather conditions (exosystem), and the existence of free or subsidized activities (macro system). Programs aimed at promoting PA in early childhood should include strategies that address contextual factors and not only focus on individual factors related to the child.
ISSN	16617827
Journal	International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [Int J Environ Res Public Health]
Volume Number	18
DOI	10.3390/ijerph18063086
PubMed Central reference number	PMC8002392
Issue Number	6
PubMed reference number	33802746
e-ISSN	16604601
Language	English
Publisher	Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)
Publisher Date	2021-03-17
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	physical activity schoolchild parents perceptions attitude focus group qualitative research
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis Pollution Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health