The Influence of Family and Culture on Physical Activity Among Female Adolescents From the Indian Diaspora
- 1 April 2009
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Qualitative Health Research
- Vol. 19 (4), 492-503
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732309332651
Abstract
In this study we explored the role of personal, familial, and cultural attitudes and social norms for physical activity (PA) on actual PA behavior among female adolescents of the Indian diaspora. Six girls, 15 to 19 years of age, from a spiritual center participated in interviews and a focus group. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Participants were high in familism, and felt that PA was important for physical and mental health, and to strengthen relationships with family. Fathers and brothers were considered most influential on PA patterns. Differentiated gender roles in PA emerged: boys were deemed more aggressive and competitive, and girls were perceived to promote fun-based learning environments. The importance of religion and spirituality as influences on PA emerged among participants with strong affinities for Indian cultures. Results show that cultural heritage impacts PA norms, attitudes, and patterns, and must be considered when evaluating adolescent PA participation in multicultural societies.Keywords
This publication has 37 references indexed in Scilit:
- Prevalence of obesity in CanadaObesity Reviews, 2005
- Environmental, Policy, and Cultural Factors Related to Physical Activity in Urban, African American WomenWomen & Health, 2002
- Acculturation and Psychological Functioning in Asian Indian AdolescentsSocial Development, 2002
- Stepping into Active Leisure? Young Women's Perceptions of Active Lifestyles and their Experiences of School Physical EducationSport, Education and Society, 2001
- Children's physical activity and physical self-perceptionsJournal of Sports Sciences, 2000
- Television Situation Comedies: Female Weight, Male Negative Comments, and Audience ReactionsSex Roles, 2000
- Television Situation Comedies: Female Body Images and Verbal ReinforcementsSex Roles, 1999
- Gender Roles and Cultural Continuity in the Asian Indian Immigrant Community in the U.S.Sex Roles, 1998
- Objectification Theory: Toward Understanding Women's Lived Experiences and Mental Health RisksPsychology of Women Quarterly, 1997
- Attraction to Physical Activity in Urban Schoolchildren: Parental Socialization and Gender InfluencesResearch Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 1996