Factors That Influence Participation in Physical Activity in School-Aged Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review from the Social Ecological Model Perspective

Donglin Hu, Shi Zhou, Zachary J. Crowley-McHattan and Zhiyun Liu
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Donglin Hu: Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
Shi Zhou: Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
Zachary J. Crowley-McHattan: Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
Zhiyun Liu: School of Physical Education and Educational Science, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin 301617, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-22

Abstract: High prevalence of physical inactivity and obesity in children and adolescents has become a global problem. This systematic review aimed to examine the existing literature regarding the factors that influence participation in physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents with reference to the social ecological model (SEM) proposed by McLeroy et al. (1988). The SEM provides a framework under which the influencing factors are categorized into five levels: intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy. A systematic search of relevant literature published before July 2020 was conducted through Ebsco, ProQuest, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Web of Science. A total of fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The selected articles were all of high quality as assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (2018). The results indicated that gender, age, ethnicity, and self-concept were the most common influencing factors at the intrapersonal level. At the interpersonal and organization levels, supports from friends, parents, and teachers were positive predictors of students’ PA participation. Accessibility of facilities and safe neighborhoods was a crucial factor that influenced children and adolescents’ participation in PA at the community level. Future studies on the effective types of policies or practices that could successfully promote facilities’ accessibility and improve neighborhood safety are required. The outcomes of this systematic review are expected to inform practice and support the development and implementation of sound policies for the promotion of PA participation in children or adolescents from a comprehensive social ecological viewpoint.

Keywords: physical activity; children and adolescents; social ecological model; participation in sport and exercise (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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