Physical+Activity+for+Public+Health


 * Tutor: **Colleen Niland
 * Student: **Kate Dawson
 * Student ID: **N7477139

Running like a girl: How equitable is the playing field when it comes to women in sport?
 * TOPIC **
 * How can we promote parent (especially mothers) and female older adolescent exercise participation and adherence in Australia? **

 [] This picture depicts a typical Australian scene of a day at the beach. The physical similarities of the woman and the young girl, such as hair and skin colour, suggest that the woman could be the mother of the young girl. It is apparent that they are both sitting down and not swimming in the ocean or being active on the beach. The woman is also overweight.
 * CULTURAL ARTEFACT **

Regular participation in sport and physical activity is associated with a number of health benefits including reduced risk of chronic disease factors, such as obesity and type II diabetes, which leads to reduced incidence of mortality and morbidity. Therefore it is not surprising that the Federal Government recognises participation in sport/exercise/physical activity as a serious Public Health issue (Bauman, Bellew, Vita, Brown, & Owen, 2002; Thompson, Gordon & Pescatello, 2009).
 * PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE **

Currently, physical inactivity is responsible for 8,000 deaths per year and is costing 400million dollars in direct health care costs**.** Physical inactivity is the second largest preventable risk factor of disease burden in Australia (Bauman et al., 2002).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This picture depicts one of the female social groups (mothers) where a large percentage is currently inactive (Bauman et al., 2002; []). A literature review will be conducted exploring the link between parental influences (especially mothers) and female participation in exercise during different stages of life. Findings will indicate that parental role models (especially mothers) and support is crucial to ongoing exercise participation for females, which is crucial to managing the physical inactivity disease burden on the Australian Public Health System (Allender, Cowburn & Foster, 2006; Bauman et al., 2002). Existing and possible health promotion strategies to increase female older adolescent and parent (especially mothers) participation in exercise will be investigated.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Whilst statistics show that the current participation rates of physical activity between men and women in Australia are not too dissimilar, 65% and 63% respectively, there is a significant difference in participation rates for males and females aged 15-17 years, which is 86% and 71% respectively (http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Products/4177.0~2009-10~Main+Features~Characteristics+of+persons+who+participated?OpenDocument). Getting Australia Active is a 203 document that contains well researched data on how to get Australia active. Research indicates that the groups (within the scope of this topic) who are most vulnerable to physical inactivity are: Female older adolescents 15-17 and women who live with a partner especially those with children. The main reasons for not participating in sport are: Insufficient time due to work or study, not interested, and insufficient time due to family commitments where females rate this issue higher in comparison to males ([|http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4156.0.55.001Feature+Article3May%202009#PARALINK1]; Bauman et al., 2002). These statistics support the notion to implement health promotion strategy targeting these social groups.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">LITERATURE REVIEW **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A study by Cleland, Venn, Fryer, Dwyer and Blizzard (2005) was warranted due to significant decreases in extracurricular sport participation for Australian children in 1985, 91% boys and 90% girls compared with rates in 2000, 71% for boys and only 58% for girls. Not surprisingly, this decline is associated with increases in childhood obesity since that time (Cleland et al., 2005). Increases in childhood obesity can lead to adult obesity, chronic disease and increased burden on the Australian Public Health sector (Bauman et al., 2002; McArdle, Katch, & Katch, 2010). Therefore, it was necessary to investigate the relationship between parental exercise and children’s participation in extra-curricular sports and cardio respiratory fitness. Using a nationally represented sample and the Australian Schools Health and Fitness Survey Cleland et al. (2005) found that there is little difference between parental sex and child participation in extracurricular activity as long as one parent is active, however there is a strong association between mothers’ exercise and girls participation in extracurricular activity. The degree of parent facilitation of a child’s participation in extracurricular activity is also linked to child participation rates. Some limitations of the study refer to perception of what is classified as exercise and defining measures such as ‘regular exercise’ and differences in intensity and duration which may have influenced the findings. This evidence suggests that if parents are active so are their children. Therefore, health promotion strategy should be directed at parents (especially mothers) exercise participation and adherence.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Vescio, Wilde and Crosswhite (2005) support the above findings by highlighting that parent role models (especially mothers) can positively influence female participation in exercise. Quantitative and qualitative data based on social and gender theory through focus group interviews and a survey was used to measure a sports role model profile. A better understanding of this model was investigated to enhance adolescent girls’ participation during school physical education classes. Results indicate that motivation for adolescent girls to participate in physical education is increased when; at least one role model was present; a parent (primarily mothers) or family member role model was nominated as opposed to an elite athlete; and a female role model was nominated compared to a male role model. There are no known limitations to this study. Health promotion strategy is required to encourage mother role models to facilitate female participation in exercise.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Allender, Cowburn and Foster (2006) used qualitative methods to compile an in-depth review to explore participants’ reasons for participating and not participating in sport and physical activity. They found (within the scope of this topic) that for young children, enjoyment and support from parents was essential to young children participation as they are responsible for funding and transportation. Mothers, however did discourage sport participation if the environment was perceived to be unsafe. For teenagers and young women, beauty ideals and weight management were primary motivators to participate in sport, and family support assisted with maintaining participation throughout high school. Barriers for young women in physical education participation consisted of ill-fitting uniforms, fears of gay connotations, stereotyping and undesirable sport choices (Allender, Cowburn & Foster, 2006). Limitations may exist with regard to data selection including origin of research. Reform of Australian physical education classes is required together with safe ‘playing’ environments to encourage female older adolescent participation in exercise to enhance exercise adherence during up and coming stages of life including motherhood (Allender, Cowburn & Foster, 2006; Sherwood & Jeffery, 2000).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The decline of female exercise participation for female older adolescents and mothers has been influenced by a number of cultural and social changes over time. An increasing shift from structure (lack of parental support, lack of opportunity and restrictions due to stereotypes) to agency (loss of interest, increased computer use and economical demands forcing dual parent income) have been contributing factors to such a decline (Bauman et al., 2002; Cooky, 2009; Derry, 2003; Schmalz & Kersetter, 2006; Van Krieken, 2006).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ANAYSIS **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Seemingly, lack of parental support is a key factor, contributing to physical inactivity in Australia. Whether it is from a structure perspective in terms of gender role influences or old fashioned perceptions of parents: “There’s a lot of parents that just think that it’s not good for their girls to play sport” (Cooky, 2009, p. 269) or, from an agency perspective where time availability is an issue (Cooky, 2009; Sherwood & Jeffery, 2000; Van Krieken, 2006). When both parents are forced to work due to increases in cost of living as a result of international economic pressures, this leaves little time or money for parents to fund and/or transport their children to sporting activities (Gorman-Murray, 2010; Sherwood & Jeffery, 2000). Mothers, usually the primary care takers (especially for young children) have even greater time constraints to participate in or facilitate sport for their children (Sherwood & Jeffery, 2000). The main barriers for mothers include: lack of personal resources, leisure companions, poor access to venues, lack of good quality childcare and insufficient time (Bauman et al., 2002).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">It has become evident that if the Federal Government through Public Health Promotion, can assist parents (especially mothers) and female older adolescents become more physically active, this //will//; 1. Increase child participation in extracurricular sports; 2. Increase female older adolescent exercise participation; and 3. Maintain exercise adherence for female adolescents towards motherhood. Theoretically, an establishment of a ‘generation cyclic pattern’ of exercise adherence will assist in alleviating the current disease burden on the Australian Public Health System caused by physical inactivity.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Even though The Australian Government and independent organisations are on the right track with current initiatives such as: Pro-Active Mums; Sports Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women Program; AFL’s Women’s and Girls Strategic Plan; Girls Breakfast Programs; I Support Women in Sport; Stay On Your Feet Programs; Measure Up; Swap it don’t stop it; Find your 30; and Getting Australia Active (Bauman et al., 2002;[];[]+; []; []; [];[]). In order to increase parental (especially mothers) and female older adolescent participation in physical activity, the following health promotion ideas are recommended: 1. Parent-child role model initiatives, this may include; parent-child sports carnivals at schools. 2. Enhance education opportunities either; at work; or during hospital stays after giving birth about the importance of parent and child physical activity participation. 3. Increase opportunity and time to participate in sport, this may include; increasing lunch breaks to an hour and a half, childcare buddy systems or mothers groups, and exercise initiatives in the workplace such as walking groups. 4. Increase accessible/cheap/safe sporting facilities, including; upgrading transport to and from recreational centres. 5. Reform of physical education format in schools for girls including; uniform choice, increased choice of desirable sports and single sex participation opportunities and environments.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This picture of mother and daughter being physically inactive together, cements the significance of parent role models and the influence parents (especially mothers) can have over their children and their well being. In theory, if parents are sufficiently educated about the benefits of exercise and convey these values to their children via exercise facilitation; ideals, attitudes and behaviour endorsing exercise, will be passed down to subsequent generations establishing a trend which will not only lead to decreased risk of disease burden on the Australian Public Health System, but will ensure increased longevity and a higher quality of life for Australian individuals (Allender, Cowburn & Foster, 2006; []; Cleland et al., 2005; McArdle, Katch, & Katch, 2010; Thompson, Gordon & Pescatello, 2009; Vescio, Wilde & Crosswhite, 2005).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">ANALYSIS OF THE ARTEFACT AND LEARNING REFLECTIONS **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Personally, this assignment has stirred a passion that I had lost after my first year of university. As a graduating exercise and movement science student, who was never particularly ‘science’ minded and constantly questioning degree choices in terms of career aspirations, I believe I have found my calling. I will now be actively pursuing a career in Public Health Promotion, policy writing and implementation for our Nations’ population as a result of this course.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">As an exercise scientist, and keen exercise participant, it astonishes me that obesity as a result of physical inactivity and poor diet has become a worldwide epidemic. As an up-and-coming Public Health Promotion Officer, by understanding why others are not participating in physical activity, I can implement initiatives which will assist in reversing this nationwide epidemic. This course has provided me with exciting ‘big picture’ analysis, provoking passion which has changed my life and hopefully the lives of others.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">REFERENCES ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Allender, S., Cowburn, G., & Foster, C. (2006). Understanding participation in sport and physical activity among children and adults: a review of qualitative studies. //Health Education Research, 21//(6), 826-835. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Bauman, A., Bellew, B., Vita, P., Brown, W., & Owen, N. (2002). Getting Australia Active: towards better practice for the promotion of physical activity. National Public Health Partnership. Melbourne, Australia. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Characteristics of persons who participated in sport. Retrieved September 9, 2011, from Australian Bureau of Statistics website: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Products/4177.0~2009-10~Main+Features~Characteristics+of+persons+who+participated?OpenDocument <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cleland, V., Venn, A., Fryer, J., Dwyer, T., Blizzard, L. (2005). Parental exercise is associated with australian children’s extracurricular sports participation & cardiorespiratory fitness: A cross-sectional study. //International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition & Physical Activity 2(3)//, 1-9. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cooky, C. (2009). “Girls just aren’t interested”: the social construction of interest in girls’ sport. //Sociological Perspectives, 52//(2), 259-283. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Derry, J. A. (2002). Single-sex and coeducation physical education: perspectives of adolescent girls and female physical education teachers- research. //Melpomene Journal.// Retrieved from [|http://www.pembinatrails.ca] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Do kids make you fat? Retrieved October 10, 2011, from Babble blogs website: [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Feature article 3: Women in sport. Retrieved September 9, 2011, from Australian Bureau of Statistics website: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4156.0.55.001Feature+Article3May%202009#PARALINK1 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Gorman-Murray, A. (2010). Economic crises and emotional fallout: work, home and men’s belonging in post GFC Sydney. //Emotion, Space and Society, 1//, 1-14. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Measure Up. Australian Government Initiative. Retrieved November 1, 2011 from Australian Government website: [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">McArdle, W. D., Katch, F. I., & Katch, V. L. (2010). //Exercise physiology, nutrition, energy and human performance// (7th ed.). Baltimore, United States of America: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Participation. Retrieved September 9, 2011 from Australian Womensport & Recreation Association website: [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Pro Active Mums, promoting physical activity through childcare centres. Retrieved September 9, 2011, from New South Wales Government website: [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Schmalz, D. L., & Kerstetter, D. L. (2006). Girlie girls and manly men: Children’s stigma consciousness of gender in sports and physical activities. //Journal of Leisure Research, 38//(4), 536-557. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Sherwood, N. E., & Jeffery, R. W. (2000). Behavioural determinants of exercise: Implications for physical activity interventions. //Annu. Rev. Nutr (20)//, 21-44. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Sports leadership pays dividends for Diana. Retrieved September 9, 2011, from Australian Sports Commission website: []. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Swap it Don’t Stop it. Australian Government Initiative. Retrieved November 1, 2011 from Australian Government website: [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Thompson, W. R. (2010). ACSM’s //guidelines for exercise testing and prescription (8th ed.)//. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Van Krieken, R et al. Sociology: Themes & perspectives. Chapter 1. What is sociology. Pearson 2006. pp. 4-16. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Vescio, J., Wilde, K., & Crosswhite, J., (2005). Profiling sport role models to enhance initiatives for adolescent girls in physical education and sport. //European Physical Education Review 11(2),// 153-170. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Women’s Health, Rexona to launch ‘I Support Women in Sport’. Retrieved September 9, 2011, from Mumbrella website: http://mumbrella.com.au/womens-health-rexona-to-launch-i-support-women-in-sport-38389.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">**REFLECTIONS:**

//**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Health of Generation Y **//

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Great cultural artefact it really depicts possible lifestyle choices of generation Y and you can immediately relate this to the subsequent public health issues surrounding generation Y. Use of statistics is well done as is the information about alcohol consumption and over consumption as an important health issue for generation Y within Australia. Perhaps a few more references are needed throughout but some interesting themes are well explored including: risky sex behaviours; and illicit drugs and the implications of these on generation Y individuals and the Australian public health system. Well done.

**//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Genuine or Genuine Photo Opportunity – The truth about closing the gap //**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Thought provoking cultural artefact heading straight to the key issues underpinning the gap between health care for indigenous and attention given by the Federal Government. Sensational analysis providing insight into how health promotion in this area is clearly not working. Thorough cultural and social analysis hitting all the key areas including racial barriers. It would have been great to see your personal reflection but overall, very well written and researched piece. Congratulations.