title: Factors affecting physical activity in Ecuadorian adolescents: a focus group study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical inactivity levels are increasingly prevalent among Ecuadorian adolescents. School-based interventions can be potentially effective in promoting physical activity but must be informed by cultural-specific factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve focus groups were carried out with adolescents (n = 80) in rural and urban Ecuador to identify factors influencing physical activity. In addition, 4 focus group discussions with parents (n = 32) and 4 with school staff (n = 32) were conducted. Individual and environmental factors were questioned using the 'Attitude, Social influences and Self-efficacy' model and the socioecological model as theoretical frameworks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Factors influencing physical activity varied between groups. In the rural area farming and norms for girls impeded leisure-time physical activity, whereas urban groups emphasized traffic and crime concerns. Groups from a low socioeconomic status more frequently mentioned a fear of injuries and financial constraints. Several factors were common for all groups including preferences for sedentary activities, poor knowledge, time constraints and laziness, as well as a lack of opportunities at home and school, unsupportive parental rules and lack of role models.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A conceptual framework including the identified factors emerged to inform the design of a cultural-sensitive school-based intervention to improve physical activity among Ecuadorian adolescents. Future interventions should be tailored to each setting.
authors: Dept of Food Safety and Food Quality, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Van Royen
authors: Roosmarijn
authors: R
authors: Verstraeten
authors: Susana
authors: S
authors: Andrade
authors: Angélica
authors: A
authors: Ochoa-Avilés
authors: Silvana
authors: S
authors: Donoso
authors: Lea
authors: L
authors: Maes
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Kolsteren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D004484:Ecuador; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups; D009043:Motor Activity; D010290:Parents; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012574:Schools; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data