Full text

Turn on search term navigation

© 2019. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity is one way to ameliorate the disproportionately high obesity rates among Indigenous children yet little is known about the determinants of physical activity in First Nation communities.

Methods: A socioecological approach was used to explore the determinants that influence physical activity among Indigenous children in six First Nation communities in north-eastern Ontario, Canada. A thematic analysis of eight focus groups with 33 caregivers of Indigenous children was conducted.

Results: Caregivers reported that the present patterns of physical activity among children are different from previous generations, who were physically active through walking, outside play and physically demanding chores. Changes in lifestyles, influenced by the consequences of colonization, have resulted in reduced physical activity. Three themes emerged as present day impediments to physical activity: recreational technology, caregivers’ safety concerns, and barriers to community activation.

Conclusion: There is a dynamic interrelationship among the proximal, intermediate and distal determinants of children’s physical activity with colonial policies continuing to have impacts in the participating First Nation communities. Community generated research and strategies are important ways to ameliorate physical inactivity and obesity among First Nation children.

Details

Title
Keeping kids safe: caregivers' perspectives on the determinants of physical activity in rural Indigenous communities
Author
McGregor, Lorrilee; Maar, Marion; Young, Nancy; Pamela Rose Toulouse
Section
Original Research
Publication year
2019
Publication date
2019
Publisher
James Cook University
ISSN
14456354
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2675656731
Copyright
© 2019. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.