Abstract
Children of South Asian ethnicity residing in England have low levels of physical activity. Limited literature exists on correlates, barriers, and facilitators to activity in South Asian children. The aim of this study was to fill this gap in the literature. Interviews were conducted with 10 parents of South Asian ethnicity residing in the UK. Interviews covered a description of the family setup, participants’ opinions of physical activity including barriers and facilitators and their children’s participation, as well as approaches to general parenting, and how children spend their free time. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Key themes identified included (i) restraints on parents’ and children’s time to be physically active; (ii) the role of the family in children’s physical activity participation; (iii) situational barriers to physical activity; (iv) physical activity not a priority; (v) opportunities to be active; and (vi) perception of activity level and health. A number of key barriers to South Asian children’s participation in physical activity were identified, including (i) restraints on parents and children’s time; (ii) parents providing limited support for physical activity; and (iii) physical activity having a low priority. A number of facilitators were also identified (i) play; (ii) school-time; and (iii) extra-curricular clubs. In this sample of South Asian parents residing in the UK several socio-cultural barriers and facilitators of their children’s physical activity have been identified. The study provides preliminary data for a larger study to ascertain if such barriers and facilitators are representative of the wider South Asian community, so that recommendations for intervention and policies can be made.
Highlights
The Health Survey for England [1] found that all minority ethnic groups have a higher risk of diabetes when compared to other ethnicities
In a recent longitudinal study of 281 children residing in Camden, London. it was found that children of a South Asian ethnicity had lower levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at baseline and one-year follow-up when compared to those of a Caucasian/mixed ethnicity
Children of a South Asian ethnicity were found to have a significantly greater increase in time spent sedentary at follow-up [12]. This is of concern as South Asians are at increased risk of Type II diabetes early in life [4,5,6], and high levels of physical activity and low levels of sedentary behaviour are associated with incident diabetes, through promoting visceral adiposity and impaired glucose control [13,14]
Summary
The Health Survey for England [1] found that all minority ethnic groups have a higher risk of diabetes when compared to other ethnicities. Children of a South Asian ethnicity were found to have a significantly greater increase in time spent sedentary at follow-up [12] This is of concern as South Asians are at increased risk of Type II diabetes early in life [4,5,6], and high levels of physical activity and low levels of sedentary behaviour are associated with incident diabetes, through promoting visceral adiposity and impaired glucose control [13,14]. The reasons for these observed differences in physical activity between children of different ethnic groups are poorly understood. Identifying correlates of physical activity can inform intervention development by highlighting potentially modifiable correlates that may bring about physical activity (e.g., physical environment), or identify characteristics of target groups most in need of intervention (e.g., lack of awareness, socio-economic-status)
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