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Article
Adolescents' Perspectives of Home, School and Neighborhood Environmental Influences on Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors
Children, Youth and Environments
  • Patricia Tucker, Middlesex-London Health Unit London, ON
  • Jennifer D. Irwin, The University of Western Ontario
  • Jason Gilliland, The University of Western Ontario
  • Meizi He, University of Texas at San Antonio
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2008
Abstract

This investigation sought to gain an understanding of how youth perceive neighborhood environmental influences on their physical activity and eating behaviors. This qualitative study targeted a heterogeneous sample of 12- to 14- year-olds in London, Ontario, Canada. Using a semi-structured interview guide, we conducted nine focus groups (n = 60) and used inductive content analysis to investigate their discussions. Most participants discussed their school, parks, and opportunity structures around their homes as influencing their physical activity, and overwhelmingly reported the availability of fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, and slow-food restaurants in their neighborhoods as influencing their eating practices. The descriptive information collected through this study is potentially significant for the efforts of city planners, policy makers, health professionals, school officials, and parents to promote and support healthier youth behaviors.

Citation Information
Patricia Tucker, Jennifer D. Irwin, Jason Gilliland and Meizi He. "Adolescents' Perspectives of Home, School and Neighborhood Environmental Influences on Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors" Children, Youth and Environments Vol. 18 Iss. 2 (2008) p. 12 - 35
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/trish_tucker/12/