Barriers to Physical Activity PDF

Overcoming Barriers to Physical Activity ~~~ TOPICS COVERED IN THIS LESSON (a) Types of Barriers Confronting Canadians (b) Ways to Overcome Barriers to Physical Activity  Focussing Question ~~~ “What prevents people from being physically activ...

Overcoming Barriers to Physical Activity ~~~ TOPICS COVERED IN THIS LESSON (a) Types of Barriers Confronting Canadians (b) Ways to Overcome Barriers to Physical Activity  Focussing Question ~~~ “What prevents people from being physically active and how can we as a society overcome these obstacles?” Environmental Barriers Built environments play a major role in levels of physical activity: Built environments are human-made settings for human activity. Consist of buildings, neighbourhoods, cities, infrastructure, and parks or green space Sometimes discourage active transportation (walking, biking, rollerblading) Sometimes encourage passive transportation via cars and public transit Socioeconomic Barriers Socioeconomic barriers are those associated with the social standing of an individual or group, typically measured as a combination of income, education, and occupation. For example: One in five Canadian families cannot afford to enroll their children in recreation programs. These families need subsidies for registration, equipment, and transportation costs.  Cultural Barriers Multiculturalism is a celebration of diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. It was adopted as official government policy during the 1970s and 1980s. By the early twenty-first century, newcomers from outside British and French heritage composed the majority of the Canadian population. New Canadians tend to face barriers to sport and physical activity despite Canada’s policy of multiculturalism. Canadian Sport Policy aims to increase access to sport for new immigrants. More needs to be done to reduce language barriers and the isolation that many newcomers experience.  Personal Barriers Personal barriers are obstacles that are definitely real and serious but could be thought of as being largely, under the control of the individual. These barriers might include: Lack of time Lack of energy Poor diet No access to gym or gym equipment Financial constraints Lack of confidence Lack of motivation  Psychological Barriers Psychological barriers are obstacles that are real and serious but could be thought of as being largely, “in the mind” or in the attitude of the individual. These barriers might include: Fear of pain and physical exertion Self-consciousness about appearance A perception that physical exercise is boring  Overcoming Environmental Barriers Suggestions: Establish “Active and Safe Routes to School” community programs. Pressure governments to increase funding for parks, playgrounds, safe pedestrian walkways, bike paths, street lighting, etc. Take stairs rather than elevators or escalators. Walk or bike rather than drive or take the bus.  Overcoming Cultural Barriers Suggestions: The Sport Information Resource Centre and Sport Canada are concerned about cultural barriers to physical activity. Lack of government policies with respect to multiculturalism and sport must be addressed. Government and support agencies must find ways to provide information about sport and recreation opportunities to newcomers.  Overcoming Personal Barriers Suggestions: Take stairs; walk, jog, bike, rollerblade, skateboard to school or work Reduce TV watching and screen time Work out during TV commercial or ads Start at 10 min of exercise per day and build from there Use your own body; there is no need for fancy gym equipment Switch from junk food to healthy foods  Overcoming Psychological Barriers Suggestions: Find a form of physical activity that is fun Stop a particular exercise if it hurts Work out in a less competitive environment Seek out a support system Choose social activities that don’t involve sitting Reward yourself in a healthy way  Lifestyle Diseases Lifestyle diseases (“acquired diseases”) are illnesses that are largely preventable and that appear to increase in frequency as countries become more industrialized. They can include some kinds of cancer, chronic liver disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, osteoporosis, stroke, and depression. Probable Causes: Poor diet Harmful lifestyle habits Sedentarism Reduce Lifestyle Diseases By Changing Diet, Environment, & Activity Level  Revisiting the Question ~~~ “What prevents people from being physically active and how can we as a society overcome these obstacles?”  Summary Barriers to physical activity can be environmental, socioeconomic, cultural, personal, or psychological. Once we identify barriers to physical activity, we can devise creative ways to overcome them. Lifestyle diseases can be prevented or reduced by changes in diet, avoidance of tobacco, and regular physical activity.  STOP Complete pages 12 -14 in the workbook