Young Peoples Perceptions and Experiences of Physical Activity in Apia, Samoa Research Completed
Title
Young Peoples Perceptions and Experiences of Physical Activity in Apia, Samoa
Lead Author
Organisation(s)
The University of Waikato
Publication Year
2011
Publisher
Pacific Health Dialog
Contacts
Clark Tuagalu
Email: clark@pasifikaresearch.co.nz
Abstract
Keywords:
Physical inactivity is one of the main risk factors contributing to the prevalence of lifestyle diseases in Samoa. Lifestyle diseases are now the major causes of death in this Pacifi c island. In 2007, I conducted a study in Apia, Samoa to investigate perceptions and experiences of physical activity at five secondary schools and a tertiary institution. A total of 801 respondents aged 13-50 years were surveyed. The survey data was analysed to explore the respondents’ perceptions about physical activity and health, perspectives about barriers that stopped them from being active and sources of encouragement for being active. Most respondents reported a positive attitude towards physical activity and indicated that physical activity was important to improve health, get fitter and lose weight. Although, many respondents believed they were physically active, they did not meet the recommended national physical activity guidelines. Respondents reported a number of barriers to physical activity such as cultural, environmental and discomfort factors. More than half of them wanted to be more active and almost 56% wanted to lose weight, but need help and encouragement from friends and community. A coordinated response engaging all health sector partners is recommended to improve physical activity in the community. Such efforts would ensure that everyone accepts the responsibility of preventing and controlling the prevalence of lifestyle diseases.
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1430
Added
July 3, 2012
Last Modified
July 3, 2012