Physical activity and children

This report presents the findings of a review of qualitative studies of children and young people’s views of physical activity, sport and play. It is the second of two background reviews for NICE examining the broader determinants of physical activity for young people. The review contributes to the development of public health programme guidance aimed at promoting physical activity, play and sport for pre-school and school age children in family, pre-school, school and community settings. In line with the scope for this guidance this review covers four core areas which are: adolescent girls (11-18 years old; children aged eight and under, active travel and families and community.

The purpose of this review is to understand the views of children (and, where possible, parents and organisers of physical activity) about the barriers and facilitators to participation in physical activity in England for all children and for those in sub populations with differing levels of physical activity.

This review will contribute to the guidance by helping to identify:

1. What are the important barriers and facilitators that may inform the development of approaches to increasing physical activity?
2. What are the most appropriate approaches for the selected populations or settings? – to inform the effectiveness review
3. What are possible ways of intervening where no experimental research exists?

The review focused on four core areas which are:

1. adolescent girls (11-18);
2. children aged 8 and under;
3. active travel;
4. and families and community.

The review used evidence from:

• Developed countries (i.e. UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand). Relevant international studies were also used where there was insufficient evidence from UK studies.
• Primary studies published from 1990 onwards in English language peer reviewed journals that used qualitative methodologies to identify or describe the thoughts, feelings and experiences of UK children (and parents carers, where relevant) or organisers of physical activity about children’s participation in physical activity. In core areas where there were less than 4 UK studies the reviewers assessed international qualitative studies that met the inclusion criteria.