title: Challenges of being new to Canada: considerations for physical activity.
abstract: Immigrants to Canada are less likely to be physically active compared with non-immigrants, and the interrelations between personal and environmental factors that influence physical activity for immigrants are largely unexplored. The goal of this qualitative descriptive study was to understand how the experience of being new to Canada impacts opportunities and participation in physical activity. Two focus group interviews with immigrants to Canada were conducted. The first group ( n=7) included multicultural health brokers. The second group ( n=14) included English as a second language students. Qualitative content analysis was used to determine three themes consistent with the research question: transition to Canadian life, commitments and priorities, and accessibility. Discussion was framed using a social ecological model. Implications for practice and policy are suggested including enhanced community engagement, and organizational modifications. Overall, the development and implementation of physical activity policies and practices for newcomers to Canada should be centered on newcomers' perspectives and experiences.
authors.affiliation: 1. Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Kimberley D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Curtin
authors.affiliation: 1. Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Canada.|2. Alberta Centre for Active Living, University of Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Christina C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Loitz
authors.affiliation: 1. Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Spencer-Cavaliere
authors.affiliation: 3. School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.
authors.forename: Ernest Nene
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Khalema
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: health promotion; newcomer; physical activity; public health; qualitative; recreation