"Girls Aren't Meant to Exercise": Perceived Influences on Physical Activity among Adolescent Girls-The HERizon Project.

Emma S Cowley,Andrew Thompson,Anton J M Wagenmakers,Lawrence Foweather,Paula M Watson,Dick Thijssen,Sarahjane Belton

doi:10.3390/children8010031

Abstract

Background. Adolescent girls are less active than boys, with approximately 10% of girls in Ireland and the United Kingdom meeting the minimum recommended daily physical activity (PA) guidelines. This study investigated factors perceived to influence PA among adolescent girls from low socioeconomic areas in order to inform the design of a future intervention (The HERizon Project). Methods. A total of 48 adolescent girls (13–18 years) from low socioeconomic areas of the United Kingdom and Ireland participated in focus groups (n = 8), to explore perspectives of physical activity and the influence of gender within this. Focus groups were thematically analyzed and interpreted within a socioecological framework. Results. Most girls enjoyed PA and were aware of its benefits. They identified both barriers and facilitators to PA at intrapersonal (fear of judgement and changing priorities WITH age), interpersonal (changing social pressures and support from others) and organizational (delivery of PE) levels. Gender inequality was a multilevel factor, crossing all socioecological levels. Conclusion. Although many adolescent girls enjoy PA, their experiences appear to be limited by a fear of judgement and an overarching sense of gender inequality. Future interventions, such as the HERizon Project, should address influences at intrapersonal, interpersonal and organizational levels to promote positive PA experiences for adolescent girls.

Highlights

Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous physical and psychological health benefits for adolescents, including improved cardiometabolic health [1], healthy weight management [2], cognitive function [3], psychosocial skills [4] and mental wellbeing [5]
Numerous barriers were identified by participants at all levels of the socioecological model, including intrapersonal factors, interpersonal factors and multilevel factors, which are consistent with past literature [13]
This study identifies some the multilevel factors that influence adolescent girls’ PA and can suggest practical recommendations to inform the development of future PA interventions, including the HERizon Project

Summary

Introduction

Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous physical and psychological health benefits for adolescents, including improved cardiometabolic health [1], healthy weight management [2], cognitive function [3], psychosocial skills [4] and mental wellbeing [5]. If the current trends continue, the World Health Assembly global action plan of a 15% reduction in the prevalence of physical inactivity by 2030 will not be met This issue is prevalent among adolescent girls in the UK and Ireland, with approximately 90% of girls being insufficiently active [8,9]. A total of 48 adolescent girls (13–18 years) from low socioeconomic areas of the United Kingdom and Ireland participated in focus groups (n = 8), to explore perspectives of physical activity and the influence of gender within this. Many adolescent girls enjoy PA, their experiences appear to be limited by a fear of judgement and an overarching sense of gender inequality Future interventions, such as the HERizon Project, should address influences at intrapersonal, interpersonal and organizational levels to promote positive PA experiences for adolescent girls

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Conclusion