title: Physical Activity Behaviors and Influences Among Chinese-American Children Aged 9-13 Years: A Qualitative Study.
abstract: Low physical activity is a major health issue among Chinese Americans. This study explored Chinese-American children's physical activity behaviors and influencing factors. Twenty-five children of Chinese or Taiwanese descent were interviewed to understand their favorite sports or physical activities, physical activity environments, and influences on their physical activity. All were between the ages of 9 and 13. Interviews were transcribed and coded using thematic data analysis procedures. Major themes included: (1) team sports, particularly basketball, were commonly listed as favorite sports or activities; (2) physical activity occurred mostly at school or an after-school setting; and (3) family played a major role in physical activity. Some trends/differences were detected based on age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Interventions to promote physical activity among Chinese-American children should emphasize team sports and encourage physical activity in schools, but also explore ways to involves families outside of school.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. CSYeung@mdanderson.org.|Department of Health Disparities Research - Unit 1440, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 301402, Houston, TX, 77230-1402, USA. CSYeung@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: Cassandra S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Diep
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Randall
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Debbe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Houston Health Department, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Research for Effectiveness, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Beverly J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Gor
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baranowski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001213:Asian; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D004777:Environment; D015444:Exercise; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013177:Sports; D013624:Taiwan / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Children; Chinese; Interviews; Physical activity