title: Formative research to develop the IDEFICS physical activity intervention component: findings from focus groups with children and parents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current study aimed at describing influencing factors for physical activity among young children to determine the best approaches for developing the IDEFICS community based intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 8 European sites a trained moderator conducted a minimum of 4 focus groups using standardized questioning guides. A total of 56 focus groups were conducted including 36 focus groups with parents and 20 focus groups with children, of which 74 were boys and 81 girls. Key findings were identified through independent reviews of focus group summary reports using content analysis methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings were generally consistent across countries. The greatest emphasis was on environmental physical (eg, seasonal influences, availability of facilities and safety), institutional (eg, length of breaks at school), and social factors (eg, role modeling of parents). Most cited personal factors by parents were age, social economical status, and perceived barriers. Both children and parents mentioned the importance of children's preferences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To increase physical activity levels of young children the intervention should aim at creating an environment (physical, institutional, social) supportive of physical activity. On the other hand strategies should take into account personal factors like age and social economical status and should consider personal barriers too.
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Research Foundation Flanders, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Leen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haerens
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: De Bourdeaudhuij
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eiben
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lauria
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bel
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Keimer
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kovács
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lasn
authors.forename: Susann
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Regber
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shiakou
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maes
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012574:Schools; D040241:Social Marketing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult