Abstract
Participating in physical activity is beneficial for health. Whilst Aboriginal children possess high levels of physical activity, this declines rapidly by early adolescence. Low physical activity participation is a behavioral risk factor for chronic disease, which is present at much higher rates in Australian Aboriginal communities compared to non-Aboriginal communities. Through photos and ‘yarning’, the Australian Aboriginal cultural form of conversation, this photovoice study explored the barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity participation perceived by Aboriginal children (n = 17) in New South Wales rural communities in Australia for the first time and extended the limited research undertaken nationally. Seven key themes emerged from thematic analysis. Four themes described physical activity barriers, which largely exist at the community and interpersonal level of children’s social and cultural context: the physical environment, high costs related to sport and transport, and reliance on parents, along with individual risk factors such as unhealthy eating. Three themes identified physical activity facilitators that exist at the personal, interpersonal, and institutional level: enjoyment from being active, supportive social and family connections, and schools. Findings highlight the need for ongoing maintenance of community facilities to enable physical activity opportunities and ensure safety. Children held strong aspirations for improved and accessible facilities. The strength of friendships and the family unit should be utilized in co-designed and Aboriginal community-led campaigns.
Highlights
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people possess a rich and vibrant culture and have lived on and cared for the country for over 60,000 years [1]
The sudden disruption to lives and culture brought by British colonization in 1770 has created deep inequities and a high burden of poor health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which has been sustained until this day [2]
Results were presented for discussion at meetings coded the first three yarns before discussing their similarities and differences. This aimed of the Aboriginal Educational Consultative Groups (AECG) in both communities
Summary
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people possess a rich and vibrant culture and have lived on and cared for the country for over 60,000 years [1]. The sudden disruption to lives and culture brought by British colonization in 1770 has created deep inequities and a high burden of poor health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which has been sustained until this day [2]. This inequity was sustained over the subsequent. Strait Islander people has been a decline in physical activity levels [3], contributing to poor health, including the development of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes [4].
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