Physical activity barriers and facilitators among working mothers and fathers

BMC Public Health

Edward McAuley³  Danae Dinkel⁴  Jennifer Huberty²  Emily L Mailey¹ 

[1] Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, 1A Natatorium, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA;School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA;Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA;School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182, USA

关键词: Focus groups;    Fathers;    Working mothers;    Parenthood;    Physical activity;   

Others  :  1129073
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-14-657

 received in 2014-03-28, accepted in 2014-06-19,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

The transition to parenthood is consistently associated with declines in physical activity. In particular, working parents are at risk for inactivity, but research exploring physical activity barriers and facilitators in this population has been scarce. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine perceptions of physical activity among working parents.

Methods

Working mothers (n = 13) and fathers (n = 12) were recruited to participate in one of four focus group sessions and discuss physical activity barriers and facilitators. Data were analyzed using immersion/crystallization in NVivo 10.

Results

Major themes for barriers included family responsibilities, guilt, lack of support, scheduling constraints, and work. Major themes for facilitators included being active with children or during children’s activities, being a role model for children, making time/prioritizing, benefits to health and family, and having support available. Several gender differences emerged within each theme, but overall both mothers and fathers reported their priorities had shifted to focus on family after becoming parents, and those who were fitting in physical activity had developed strategies that allowed them to balance their household and occupational responsibilities.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest working mothers and fathers report similar physical activity barriers and facilitators and would benefit from interventions that teach strategies for overcoming barriers and prioritizing physical activity amidst the demands of parenthood. Future interventions might consider targeting mothers and fathers in tandem to create an optimally supportive environment in the home.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Mailey et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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