What do parents and preschool staff tell us about young children's physical activity: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Physical activity and small screen recreation are two modifiable behaviours associated with childhood obesity and the development of chronic health problems. Parents and preschool staff shape behaviour habits in young children. The aims of this qualitative study were to explore the attitudes, values, knowledge and understanding of parents and carers of preschool-age children in relation to physical activity and small screen recreation and to identify influences upon these behaviours.

Ethnic differences in parental attitudes and beliefs about being overweight in childhood

“…Among Asian Bangladeshi, Chinese and Yemeni parents, time available for PA in childhood was decreased by pressure on children to achieve academically and participate in faith and language classes associated to their ethnic heritage. Emphasis on educational attainment in childhood as a barrier to PA is a recurrent theme in research with particular ethnic minority groups (e.g., Chinese [48], Middle Eastern [11], Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Black African [17] populations) living in Western countries. Given parental concern about education, relating the benefits of PA to improved concentration and cognitive functioning [49,50] may increase engagement in activities.…”

“…For example, parents and children of Somali origin living in the US have reported barriers to PA in winter months such as lack of transport or lack of resources to buy appropriate winter clothing [15]. However cultural factors can also facilitate PA, as Middle-Eastern parents living in Australia reported how having extended family living in the same street reduced their PA-related safety concerns [11]. In this regard, it is possible the demographic make-up of a city might influence the PA of ethnic minority children.…”

“…Cultural factors may influence how children's PA is perceived and supported by parents of different ethnic groups [14]. Qualitative evidence suggests cultural attitudes can act as a barrier to PA, such as over-protection in Chinese parents [11], an emphasis on educational attainment in Middle-Eastern parents [11], and cultural expectations of girls from Black Somali parents (e.g., certain sports deemed unsuitable for girls, requirements for female-only physical activities that allow cultural dress ) [15]. Furthermore Bangladeshi and Somali teenagers living in Wales have reported a lack of support from their families to do PA, which boys felt was because of injury worries [16].…”

“…Influences on children's PA behaviours range from individual (e.g., children's preferences) to interpersonal (e.g., parental support), organisational (e.g., school PA provision) and environmental (e.g., local PA opportunities) levels and act either independently or synergistically to impact on children's behaviour [10,11]. At the interpersonal level, parents play an instrumental role in determining children's PA levels through their attitudes, parenting practices and own PA behaviours [12,13].…”

Regard sur le processus d’adaptation d’immigrants adultes de la Mauricie sous l’angle des habitudes de vie et des compétences de la vie courante1

“…Il se peut que faute d'argent, du peu de disponibilité occasionnée par un double emploi obligé ou encore de l'absence d'un réseau social, les familles défavorisées et immigrantes perçoivent l'activité physique comme un luxe inaccessible ou même inutile (Dwyer, Higgs, Hardy et Baur, 2008). Il ne faut pas perdre de vue que bon nombre d'immigrants étaient habitués à marcher beaucoup plus dans leur pays de provenance.…”