Promoting Physical Activity of Adolescent and Young Iranian Girls

Fatemeh Rajabi, Leila Mounesan, Azadeh Sayarifard, Laleh Ghadirian

Abstract


Background: Women play a central role in the health of the whole family, but they are faced with more barriers while taking part in physical activities.

Methods: This study was composed of two main phases. In the frst phase, the status of physical activity among young and adolescent in Iran and global evidence of effective interventions were searched. In the second phase, Focused Group Discussion (FGD) sessions were held with the key stakeholders in Tehran to investigate the results obtained from the frst phase.

Results: Physical activity among young and adolescent in Iran
is inadequate. Based on the results obtained from the evidence and analysis of the FGDs, solutions defned as supporting policies, supporting environment, and supporting programs for physical activities.

Conclusions: Multilevel cooperation among schools, families, and society is necessary to develop and implement policies and supporting programs, with an emphasis on combined interventions.

Keywords: Adolescent, girls, physical activity, young


Full Text:

PDF

References


Mounesan L, Sepidarkish M, Hosseini H, Ahmadi A, Ardalan G,

Kelishadi R, et al. Policy brief on promoting physical activity

among adolescents. Int J Prev Med 2012;3:599‑606.

World Health Organization. Prevalence of Physical Activity,

National Profile of Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors

in Islamic Republic of Iran Selected Result of First Survey of

Non‑communicable Disease Risks Factor Surveillance System of

Iran; 2005.

Ziaee V, Kelishadi R, Ardalan G, Gheiratmand R, Majdzadeh S,

Monazzam M. Physical activity in Iranian students CASPIAN

Study. Iran J Pediatr 2006;16:157‑64.

Kelishadi R, Ziaee V, Ardalan G, Namazi A,

Noormohammadpour P, Ghayour‑Mobarhan M, et al. A National

Experience on Physical Activity Initiatives for Adolescent

Girls and their Mothers: CASPIAN Study. Iran J Pediatr

;20:420‑6.

Molaei TA, Tavafian S, Zare SH. Physical activity and the stages

of change: Application of the trans theoretical model. PAYESH J

;7:253‑8.

Van Der Horst K, Paw MJ, Twisk JW, Van Mechelen W. A brief

review on correlates of physical activity and sedentariness in

youth. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2007;39:1241‑50.

Sallis JF, Prochaska JJ, Taylor WC. A review of correlates of

physical activity of children and adolescents. Med Sci Sports

Exerc 2000;32:963‑75.

Dobbins M, DeCorby K, Robeson P, Husson H, Tirilis D.

School‑based physical activity programs for promoting physical

activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6‑18.

Cochrane Libr 2009. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007651.

van Sluijs EM, Kriemler S, McMinn AM. The effect of

community and family interventions on young people’s physical

activity levels: A review of reviews and updated systematic

review. Br J Sports Med 2011;45:914‑22.

World Health Organization. Obesity: Preventing and Managing

the Global Epidemic. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2000.

Bélanger M, Casey M, Cormier M, Filion AL, Martin G,

Aubut S, et al. Maintenance and decline of physical activity

during adolescence: Insights from a qualitative study. Int J Behav

Nutr Phys Act 2011;8:117.

Allender S, Cowburn G, Foster C. Understanding participation in

sport and physical activity among children and adults: A review

of qualitative studies. Health Educ Res 2006;21:826‑35.

Van Lippevelde W, Verloigne M, De Bourdeaudhuij I,

Bjelland M, Lien N, Fernández‑Alvira JM, et al. What do parents

think about parental participation in school‑based interventions

on energy balance‑related behaviours? a qualitative study in 4

countries. BMC Public Health 2011;11:881.