The Barriers and Facilitators of Sport and Physical Activity Participation for Aboriginal Children in Rural New South Wales, Australia: A Photovoice Project

Sarah Liew, Josephine Gwynn, Janice Smith, Natalie A. Johnson, Ronald Plotnikoff, Erica L. James and Nicole Turner
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Sarah Liew: South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney 2145, Australia
Josephine Gwynn: Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
Janice Smith: South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney 2145, Australia
Natalie A. Johnson: College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle Australia, Newcastle 2308, Australia
Ronald Plotnikoff: Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle 2305, Australia
Erica L. James: Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle 2305, Australia
Nicole Turner: Rural Doctors Network, Sydney 2065, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: Participating in physical activity is beneficial for health. Whilst Aboriginal children possess high levels of physical activity, this declines rapidly by early adolescence. Low physical activity participation is a behavioral risk factor for chronic disease, which is present at much higher rates in Australian Aboriginal communities compared to non-Aboriginal communities. Through photos and ‘yarning’, the Australian Aboriginal cultural form of conversation, this photovoice study explored the barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity participation perceived by Aboriginal children ( n = 17) in New South Wales rural communities in Australia for the first time and extended the limited research undertaken nationally. Seven key themes emerged from thematic analysis. Four themes described physical activity barriers, which largely exist at the community and interpersonal level of children’s social and cultural context: the physical environment, high costs related to sport and transport, and reliance on parents, along with individual risk factors such as unhealthy eating. Three themes identified physical activity facilitators that exist at the personal, interpersonal, and institutional level: enjoyment from being active, supportive social and family connections, and schools. Findings highlight the need for ongoing maintenance of community facilities to enable physical activity opportunities and ensure safety. Children held strong aspirations for improved and accessible facilities. The strength of friendships and the family unit should be utilized in co-designed and Aboriginal community-led campaigns.

Keywords: physical activity; child; indigenous health; aboriginal; Australia; photovoice; yarning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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