Perception of physical activity patterns among adolescents attending adolescent friendly services at school campus: A Focus Group Discussion Study

Abstract

Lack of physical activity among young adolescents is growing concern and it needs a deeper understanding to gain information regarding barriers to activity and exercise. Studying the adolescents in the school campus for their activity patterns would serve as a rich source of information about their actual practices and barriers to physical activity. Many studies provide an over view of adolescent physical activity patterns and report that around a large proportion of adolescent do not participate in adequate activity and exercise. The main aim of this study was to describe in depth the perception of physical activity patterns and explore the reasons for low level of physical activity among adolescents attending adolescent friendly center services. A focus group discussion was organized and a sample of 20 adolescents from the selected school was conducted. The data were analyzed using a descriptive narrative qualitative approach where adolescents reported their physical activity patterns, reasons for their low level of physical activity and measures to overcome the barriers during the discussion. The qualitative analysis brought out 4 themes namely physical and biological barriers, psychosocial, academic barriers, socio-cultural barriers. The study findings recommend future research to arrive at implementing the practical solutions to defeat the barriers and increase the physical activity among adolescents.