Perceptions and Behaviors of Physical Activity and Nutrition Among Children and Adolescents
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: This dissertation consists of two studies.Study one uses a photovoice project to determine girls' perceived benefits and barriers to physical activity in their lives and in the community.Study two examined child and adolescent females' and males' perceptions of physical activity and eating behaviors. Study One AbstractPhotovoice is a community-based participatory research method where participants are able to showcase their life experiences through photography.The objective of this study was to have adolescent girls attending an after-school program use photovoice to represent their perceptions of physical activity practices.Photovoice was used to allow adolescent girls to express their perspectives, through photographs and narratives, of their personal and community strengths and concerns related to their involvement in physical activity.Phenomenological methodology was used as a framework for the study.Qualitative analyses were conducted throughout the research process.Constant comparison was used to analyze the focus group, scrapbook data, and notes recorded by the author (moderator) to determine key themes and ideas.Participants for the study included 14 girls attending a school in an urban area.Benefits of physical activity as provided by the girls in their personal lives and in the community included: understanding that activity contributed to wellness (e.g., energy), increased social opportunities (e.g., play with friends), and the school as a hub of activities (e.g., playground).Personal and community barriers to physical activity included: lack of neighborhood safety (e.g., bad community), being involved in other sedentary activities (e.g., computer), parental rules restricting outside play (e.g., preventing girl iii from going outside), outside conditions (e.g., cold weather), personal choices to not exercise (e.g., lazy), and a lack of opportunity to exercise (e.g., no playgrounds in the community).This study provided insight into elementary aged girls' perceptions of their involvement in physical activity.Potential ways to increase physical activity among these participants are to create more group games and activities at the after-school program on a daily basis.Involving parents in activities with the girls at home may increase physical activity levels while at home. Study Two AbstractIt is important to determine differences in child and adolescent males' and females' eating and physical activity preferences to determine the design of interventions.The purpose of this study, which involved a secondary data analysis, was to evaluate gender differences among eating behaviors and physical activity involvement.There were a total of 157 males and females in this study.The participants completed a survey to assess eating behaviors and involvement in physical activity.To examine the data from the surveys, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23.0 was used to compare and determine physical activity involvement and eating behaviors.Results of the study revealed more similarities than differences in gender among eating behaviors and physical activity involvement.Females endorsed consumption of salty/savory foods more than males.Males endorsed participation in more sports teams than females.Future research should continue to explore the types of eating behaviors and physical activity involvement through qualitative research and gender sensitive questionnaires.reviewing, editing, and approving each phase of my dissertation.Due to her support and encouragement, I have had the opportunity to enhance my research skills and better myself in the field of Health Education.This dissertation would not have been possible without Dr.Laura A. Nabors' commitment and guidance as an advisor and mentor.I would also like to thank my committee members, Dr. Amy L. Bernard and Dr. Rebecca A. Vidourek, for agreeing to be on my committee and for their continuous support throughout this process.Finally, I would like to give a special thanks to my family and friends.
Author: Graves, Myia L
Institution: University of Alabama
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7014371678