International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 16, Issue 3, 2019

Recognition of barriers to physical activity promotion in immigrant children in Spain: A qualitative case study (Article) (Open Access)

Marconnot R. , Marín-Rojas A.L. , Delfa-De-La-Morena J.M. , Pérez-Corrales J. , Gueita-Rodríguez J. , Fernández-De-Las-Peñas C. , Palacios-Ceña D.*
  • a Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922, Spain
  • b Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922, Spain
  • c Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922, Spain
  • d Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922, Spain
  • e Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922, Spain
  • f Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922, Spain
  • g Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922, Spain

Abstract

Physical activity facilitates the acquisition of healthy habits from childhood to adulthood. Differences exist regarding the performance of physical activity among immigrant children compared to native Spanish children. The purpose of the study was to describe the barriers that exist for the promotion of physical activity. A qualitative case-study approach was implemented. Parents of immigrant children, teachers, a school principal, and priests were included, using purposeful sampling. Data were collected from 25 participants, via unstructured and semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and researchers’ field notes. A thematic analysis was performed and ecological levels were identified. Our findings revealed the following barriers to performing physical activity: (a) the meaning of physical activity, (b) gender inequalities, (c) academic burden, (d) lack of social contact, (e) expenses and family economy, (f) lack of infrastructure and natural surroundings, (g) time constraints, (h) fear and insecurity, and (i) the reason for immigrating. These results may be used to revise the school curriculum, promoting equal opportunities for physical activity and encouraging family participation. Additionally, urban design policies should be encouraged to facilitate access to open spaces for recreation within cities. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

qualitative research emigrants and immigrants Exercise parents child

Index Keywords

information processing Parents physical activity urban area curriculum teacher immigrant scientist immigrant population open space physiology exercise human middle aged economic aspect qualitative research Humans gender role migrant psychology Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants semi structured interview preschool child Spain female risk factor accessibility Risk Factors Child, Preschool qualitative analysis Child Welfare clinical article child health Article city thematic analysis adult gender human experiment recreation child parent relation clergy Fear Focus Groups social behavior Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85061058805&doi=10.3390%2fijerph16030431&partnerID=40&md5=1079e80823233c1a7727d2f974e541cc
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16030431
ISSN: 16617827
Original Language: English