Facilitating Physically Active Leisure for Children Who Are Overweight

Abstract

Mothers play important roles in treating childhood obesity, including facilitating physically active leisure. The purpose of this study was to explore mothers' perceptions of roles they perform and experiences they have with facilitating physical activity for their child who was overweight. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 mothers participating in a Pediatric Lifestyle Management program, and case notes were kept during one-on-one leisure education meetings with participants. Findings indicated that mothers described facilitating physical activity by modelling, co-participating, verbally encouraging, offering tangible support, and assisting with interest exploration. Factors influencing their roles included mothers' health, knowledge of child's interests, divergent family interests, lack of time, concern for the child's experience, and support from others.

Keywords:

• mothers
• childhood obesity
• facilitators
• leisure
• physical activity