Perceptions and Practices of Physical Activity Among Colombian Overweight/Obese Schoolchildren

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the contexts that shape obese children’s engagement in physical activity (PA) focusing on children’s perceptions. The qualitative design consisted of non-participant observations, and unstructured and semi-structured focus group and individual interviews. Data were analyzed by use of conventional content analysis. Participants were overweight/obese children from a public school in Colombia. The findings show that the main context where PA took place was during physical education (PE) classes at school and in the children’s neighborhoods. The participants perceived the PE classes to be too competitive and demotivating. PA taking place outside school was associated with fun, but occurred only on an infrequent basis and was challenged by living in insecure neighborhoods. Adapting a health promotion approach that emphasizes participation and social environments might motivate obese children to become physically active at school as well as during leisure time.

Reasons and promotion strategies of physical activity constraints in obese/overweight children and adolescents

“…promote PA 8/10 (H) Olaya-Contreras et al., 2016. 76 To explore the context that influences PA in obese children Non-participant observation, SSI, FGI 31 10–14 Participants found PE lessons too competitive and unmotivating; PA outside of school was associated with fun but just didn't happen often enough 9/10 (H) Reece et al., 2016. 39 To explore the experiences of obese adolescents and their perceptions of obesity treatment One-to-one interview, FGI 12 11–16 They are willing to PA with their peers in a safer and highly supportive environment because they will not be stigmatized 8/10 (H) Oen et al., 2018.…”

Investigaciones realizadas en Colombia relacionadas con actividad física y obesidad 2010-2020

“…Los autores plantean que el realizar este tipo de valoraciones pueden ser útiles para identificar a los adolescentes que corren un mayor riesgo de desarrollar resultados de salud desfavorables, debido a su bajo nivel de condición física (<percentil 10). 6) En el único estudio de tipo cualitativo, Olaya Contreras y colaboradores [93], exploraron los contextos que configuran la participación de los niños obesos en la AF, centrándose en sus percepciones. Este estudio se realizó en una de las escuelas públicas más grandes de Medellín, donde inicialmente se realizó una evaluación nutricional de los niños por medio del IMC y se escogió para el estudio los niños calificados como sobrepeso y obesidad.…”