Abstract
BackgroundPhysical activity levels are low among adolescents in Morocco; however, the influences on physical activity behavior of adolescents have not yet been explored in a qualitative study. Here, we explored potential social-ecological barriers and facilitators of physical activity in Moroccan adolescents with the goal of developing a successful intervention program aimed at improving their physical activity level.MethodsFor this study, we conducted 17 focus group discussions (100 participants, composed of 56 adolescents, 26 parents, and 18 teachers from two middle schools in Taza city, Morocco). Discussions during focus groups were facilitated by a semi-structured interview guide. Guide questions were underpinned by the social-ecological model as a theoretical framework. Data analysis was carried out by two coders using thematic analysis.ResultsWe found that barriers and facilitators of physical activity in adolescents are organized into six themes that belong to different levels of the social-ecological model. Three themes belonged to the intrapersonal level (perceived motivating and limiting factors, physical activity awareness, and time constraints), two themes were classified into the interpersonal/cultural level (social support and gender and cultural norms), and one theme belonged to the environmental level (access to opportunities). Most of the themes were at the individual level, with each theme including both barriers and facilitators.ConclusionsAdolescent participation in physical activity can be facilitated or hampered by many factors. Results from the focus group discussions showed that these factors belonged to different levels of the social-ecological model, but most were at the individual level. Our findings have several implications. First, they may offer suggestions for a tailored intervention program aimed at improving adolescent physical activity. Second, they can improve quantitative research by enriching the battery of questions of physical activity instruments (e.g., a question related to physical disability). Third, the proposed thematic map can contribute to understanding interactions and causal pathways in the social-ecological model.
Highlights
Physical activity levels are low among adolescents in Morocco; the influences on physical activity behavior of adolescents have not yet been explored in a qualitative study
A total of 100 people participated in 17 focus groups (FG)
We identified that influencing factors were organized into six themes classified into different levels of the social-ecological model, with three themes belonging to intrapersonal level, two themes classified into interpersonal/cultural level, and one theme corresponded to the environmental level
Summary
Physical activity levels are low among adolescents in Morocco; the influences on physical activity behavior of adolescents have not yet been explored in a qualitative study. We explored potential social-ecological barriers and facilitators of physical activity in Moroccan adolescents with the goal of developing a successful intervention program aimed at improving their physical activity level. Burdens associated with physical inactivity are widely recognized, more than 80% of adolescents worldwide are physically inactive based on the World Health Organization-defined threshold [12]. According to their definition, to achieve health benefits, adolescents should accumulate at least 60 min of moderate to vigorous intensity PA every day [6]. Interventions to improve adolescent PA are needed, especially because PA habits adopted during adolescence can track to adulthood [13]
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