ERIC Number: EJ1022339
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
The Feasibility of Using Nature-Based Settings for Physical Activity Programming: Views from Urban Youth and Program Providers
Blanton, Jedediah E.; Oregon, Evelyn M.; Flett, M. Ryan; Gould, Daniel R.; Pfeiffer, Karin A.
American Journal of Health Education, v44 n6 p324-334 2013
Background and Purpose: Given the urgency to design programs to increase physical activity, especially to combat obesity in children, the primary purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions and opinions of a nature-based physical activity intervention designed for low-income urban adolescents. Methods: Four focus groups of adolescents, ages 11 to 14, were conducted, as well as 5 individual interviews with youth programming experts. Results: Focus group interviews revealed how children perceive the outdoors, including their fears and barriers to exercising outside. Expert interviews discussed the necessity of becoming embedded within a network or working alongside community programs with strong ties to a target community in order to be trusted to carry out such an intervention. Discussion and Translation to Health Education Practice: Health education practitioners can use our qualitative findings in the planning, promotion, design, and evaluation of a nature-based physical activity program. Being cognizant of the fears and previous experiences of urban adolescents, as well as using the advice given by our adolescent and expert participants, should increase a program's ability to successfully recruit and facilitate a nature-based physical activity intervention.
Descriptors: Urban Youth, Physical Activity Level, Health Promotion, Low Income, Focus Groups, Adolescents, Interviews, Health Behavior, Intervention, Outcomes of Education, Program Development, Fear, Barriers, Health Education, Adolescent Attitudes, Program Evaluation, Content Analysis, Program Implementation, Qualitative Research, Experiential Learning
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A