Mothers’ experiences of supporting their daughter to be physically active.

What is it about?

Girls are less active than boys, in particular as they transition into adolescence, putting them at a greater risk of the negative health consequences associated with physical inactivity such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Mothers play an essential role in supporting their daughters to be active, however the factors influencing how, where and why mothers provide support needs further investigation. This aim of this study was to understand the factors that influence mother's experiences of supporting their daughter to be physically active.

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Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study provides an in-depth analysis of the factors that shape maternal support for physical activity. Mothers described how providing support was an inherent part of their parental role and how their role was influenced by their own identity as a "sporty" or "non-sporty" person. Mothers recognised that the type and amount of support they provided was impacted by the community setting in which they lived. Mothers acknowledged how the role of others (e.g., partners, grandparents, peers) added a layer of complexity to supporting their daughters to be active. These findings can be used to inform the development of programmes to help mothers support their daughters to be active.

Perspectives