A multi-method exploration into the social networks of young teenagers and their physical activity behavior

Shannon C Montgomery,Jennifer Badham,Frank Kee,Michael Donnelly,Laura Dunne,Ruth F Hunter

doi:10.1186/s12889-020-10081-0

Shannon C Montgomery, Jennifer Badham + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-10081-0

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Abstract

BackgroundThere is a need for novel interventions to target inadequate levels of adolescent physical activity behavior. Previous research indicates that better understanding of the processes by which social networks influence physical activity behavior in adolescents may be useful to enhance intervention design.MethodsThis study used a multi-methods approach to aid our understanding about the role of social networks for adolescent physical activity behavior. The quantitative phase of data collection was analyzed using a three-step linear regression model using cross-sectional data from the WiSe study (n = 529 participants, 48.6% female, mean age 14.38 years (SD 0.32)). A demographically reflective sub-sample of schools were invited to take part in the qualitative phase, which involved focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was used to explore findings from the quantitative phase in greater depth, and identify other themes pertaining to the association between social networks and physical activity behavior.ResultsMales’ physical activity behavior was predicted by their friend group (0.46, p = 0.007) whereas females’ physical activity was predicted by their best friend (0.21, p = 0.03). The three main findings that were uncovered by the regression analysis were explored during the qualitative phase: 1) friends have similar physical activity behaviors; 2) friendship social networks may influence differently early adolescent male and female physical activity behavior; 3) popularity and sociability were not associated with physical activity behavior. Two additional themes emerged from the analysis of focus group data: 4) social norms and 5) external factors that may impact the relationship between adolescent physical activity behavior and social networks.ConclusionsThe investigation of the interplay between the findings from each phase of the inquiry indicated that social networks influence in different ways and to different degrees the physical activity of adolescent males and females. In turn, these insights point to the need for a systematic tailoring process for the development and implementation of physical activity behavior interventions.

Highlights

There is a need for novel interventions to target inadequate levels of adolescent physical activity behavior
These guidelines concur with the updated Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which recommend that children and young people should engage in at least 60 min moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) daily [2]
Theme three: popularity and sociability were not associated with physical activity behavior Findings from phase 1 suggested that classroom popularity and sociability were not significant predictors of adolescent physical activity behavior

Summary

Introduction

There is a need for novel interventions to target inadequate levels of adolescent physical activity behavior. In 2019, the United Kingdom (UK) Government Chief Medical Officers published physical activity guidelines advising that children and young people (aged 5–15 years old) should aim to accumulate a daily average of at least 60 min of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) [1]. The British Heart Foundation found that only 8% of females aged 13–15 years old met the physical activity guidelines, compared to 14% of males of the same age in England in 2012 [10]. Recent research showed that between 2001 and 2016, the global prevalence of insufficient physical activity in males decreased by 2.5 percentage points, whereas there was no significant change for females, leading to greater discrepancy between the sexes [9]. There has been a considerable increase in the number of interventions which have focused on increasing adolescent females’ physical activity, but intervention effects have been largely minimal or non-existent [11,12,13,14,15] and the gender disparity remains [16]

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