Abstract
AbstractObjective:To explore, from the perspectives of adolescents and caregivers, and using qualitative methods, influences on adolescent diet and physical activity in rural Gambia.Design:Six focus group discussions (FGD) with adolescents and caregivers were conducted. Thematic analysis was employed across the data set.Setting:Rural region of The Gambia, West Africa.Participants:Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Four FGD, conducted with forty adolescents, comprised: girls aged 10–12 years; boys aged 10–12 years; girls aged 15–17 years, boys aged 15–17 years. Twenty caregivers also participated in two FGD (mothers and fathers).Results:All participants expressed an understanding of the association between salt and hypertension, sugary foods and diabetes, and dental health. Adolescents and caregivers suggested that adolescent nutrition and health were shaped by economic, social and cultural factors and the local environment. Adolescent diet was thought to be influenced by: affordability, seasonality and the receipt of remittances; gender norms, including differences in opportunities afforded to girls, and mother-led decision-making; cultural ceremonies and school holidays. Adolescent physical activity included walking or cycling to school, playing football and farming. Participants felt adolescent engagement in physical activity was influenced by gender, seasonality, cultural ceremonies and, to some extent, the availability of digital media.Conclusions:These novel insights into local understanding should be considered when formulating future interventions. Interventions need to address these interrelated factors, including misconceptions regarding diet and physical activity that may be harmful to health.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,Nutrition and Dietetics,Medicine (miscellaneous)
Reference54 articles.
1. 28. Transforming Adolescent Lives through Nutrition (TALENT) (2019) Researchers with a special interest in adolescent health and nutrition working together across sub-Saharan Africa and India. https://generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk/adolescentnutrition/ (accessed April 2019).
2. 6. Fact Sheet (2019) The U.S. Government and Global Maternal & Child Health Efforts. http://files.kff.org/attachment/fact-sheet-the-u-s-government-and-global-maternal-child-health (accessed April 2019).
3. Cohort Profile: the Kiang West Longitudinal Population Study (KWLPS) – a platform for integrated research and health care provision in rural Gambia;Hennig;Int J Epidemiol,2017
4. IDF Diabetes Atlas: Global estimates for the prevalence of diabetes for 2015 and 2040
5. High blood pressure and associated risk factors as indicator of preclinical hypertension in rural West Africa
Cited by
6 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献