Physical Inactivity Among Children – An Ecological Perspective

This project focuses on children who experience physical inactivity. This group of children deserves attention for several reasons. Most importantly, it underscores the significance of physical activity as a societal concern and emphasizes the relevance of how society organizes environments for physical activity.

The aim of the project is to advance understanding of how alternative physical activities can function as a means to increase sustained physical activity among inactive children on their own terms.

On an individual level, the project explores how physically inactive children construct their relationship with physical activity as a social and cultural endeavor. On an organizational level, it examines the institutional conditions of stakeholders currently involved in the promotion of physical activity among physically inactive children.

The entire project is based on ecological systems theory. This choice is justified by the fact that physical activity is considered a complex behavior influenced by numerous interrelated factors within various environmental systems, which create synergistic effects. According to ecological theory, behaviors are shaped by individual characteristics and environmental features. In the context of children's physical activity, two individual resources have been highlighted as particularly important: self-efficacy beliefs and alignment with values and self-perception. Consequently, these dimensions will be analyzed in relation to sociocultural and institutional factors that influence movement patterns.

In the first phase, an exploratory interview study focusing on physically inactive children is conducted. The study involves repeated individual interviews with children aged 7 to 15, aiming to explore their experiences in integrating physical activity during leisure time. The research comprises two interview sessions, tracking changes in their relationship with physical activity over a 6-month intervention period involving Physical Activity on Prescription.

The project is carried out in collaboration with the Centre for Physical Activity, a specialized unit within Region Västra Götaland.

Medverkande forskare
Johan Högman, Karlstad University
Stean Wagnsson, Karlstad University
Darun Jaf, Örebro University
Susanne Bernhardsson, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg