Gathering Perspectives on Extended Family Influence on African American Children's Physical Activity

Authors

Natasha A. Brown, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, School of Health and Human Sciences, Department of NutritionFollow
Katherine Clegg Smith, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health, Behavior, and SocietyFollow
Rachel L.J. Thornton, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of PediatricsFollow
Janice V. Bowie, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health, Behavior, and SocietyFollow
Pamela J. Surkan, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International HealthFollow
Darcy A. Thompson, University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine, Department of PediatricsFollow
David M. Levine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of MedicineFollow

Keywords

Family environment; Physical activity; Parenting strategies; Behavior; Obesity

Disciplines

Family, Life Course, and Society | Public Health | Race and Ethnicity

Abstract

Background: The family environment is a key determinant of children’s physical activity. The importance of the extended African American family is well established, but there is little research on its influence on school age children’s physical activity. Methods: We recruited eight families in which grandparents and other adult relatives played a central role in child supervision. Semi-structured interviews with parents, other adult relatives, and children revealed various perspectives on the influences of culture and families on children’s weight-related behaviors. Results: Children were between the ages of 6 and 11, and five of the families resided in neighborhoods in which at least 20% of the households reported a total income below the poverty level. Adults described efforts to develop active lifestyles for their families. Children talked about experiencing different types of behavioral influences from parents and other adult relatives. Conclusions: The findings suggest that resource limitations, neighborhood characteristics, and adults’ perceptions of children’s activity needs influence the ways that parents and adult relatives engage children in physical activity.

Recommended Citation

Brown, Natasha A.; Clegg Smith, Katherine; Thornton, Rachel L.J.; Bowie, Janice V.; Surkan, Pamela J.; Thompson, Darcy A.; and Levine, David M. (2014) "Gathering Perspectives on Extended Family Influence on African American Children's Physical Activity," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 8: Iss. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol8/iss1/2