Perceptions of physical activity in preschool-aged children in urban and rural samples in South Africa

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dc.contributor.advisorLouw, Johannen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorStone, Matthewen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2016-07-25T07:13:44Z
dc.date.available2016-07-25T07:13:44Z
dc.date.issued2016en_ZA
dc.description.abstractPhysical activity has a well-established and beneficial role in physical, mental and social health. Early childhood is widely acknowledged as a formative and crucial stage of human development, both biologically and habitually. In South Africa, particularly, the direct health benefits of physical activity in this age group are under-emphasised in the policies and discourse around public health. There is evidence, however, that interventions in this age group can increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behaviour. In order to guide the development of such a programme, focus groups were conducted with parents and teachers across a range of socio-economic strata in various rural and urban communities in South Africa. These focus groups explored the perceptions surrounding physical activity, gross motor skills development and sedentary behaviour in children as well as identifying perceived barriers to physical activity. Physical activity was considered important for childhood development. Participants believed their children were physically active enough, although participants in higher socio-economic areas were concerned about the lure of technological devices. The perceived barriers in low socio-economic areas were predominantly the lack of safe spaces to play and resources, particularly human resources. It is recommended that training-focused programmes for teachers and activity based workshops are developed to promote physical activity taking into account these perceptions and barriers.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationStone, M. (2016). <i>Perceptions of physical activity in preschool-aged children in urban and rural samples in South Africa</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20652en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationStone, Matthew. <i>"Perceptions of physical activity in preschool-aged children in urban and rural samples in South Africa."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20652en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationStone, M. 2016. Perceptions of physical activity in preschool-aged children in urban and rural samples in South Africa. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Stone, Matthew AB - Physical activity has a well-established and beneficial role in physical, mental and social health. Early childhood is widely acknowledged as a formative and crucial stage of human development, both biologically and habitually. In South Africa, particularly, the direct health benefits of physical activity in this age group are under-emphasised in the policies and discourse around public health. There is evidence, however, that interventions in this age group can increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behaviour. In order to guide the development of such a programme, focus groups were conducted with parents and teachers across a range of socio-economic strata in various rural and urban communities in South Africa. These focus groups explored the perceptions surrounding physical activity, gross motor skills development and sedentary behaviour in children as well as identifying perceived barriers to physical activity. Physical activity was considered important for childhood development. Participants believed their children were physically active enough, although participants in higher socio-economic areas were concerned about the lure of technological devices. The perceived barriers in low socio-economic areas were predominantly the lack of safe spaces to play and resources, particularly human resources. It is recommended that training-focused programmes for teachers and activity based workshops are developed to promote physical activity taking into account these perceptions and barriers. DA - 2016 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2016 T1 - Perceptions of physical activity in preschool-aged children in urban and rural samples in South Africa TI - Perceptions of physical activity in preschool-aged children in urban and rural samples in South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20652 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/20652
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationStone M. Perceptions of physical activity in preschool-aged children in urban and rural samples in South Africa. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology, 2016 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20652en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Psychologyen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Humanitiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherPsychologyen_ZA
dc.titlePerceptions of physical activity in preschool-aged children in urban and rural samples in South Africaen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMSocScen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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