A Qualitative Examination of Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity for Rural Adolescents

Objective Physical activity (PA) is important in childhood obesity prevention. Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory of Development posits that an individual’s behavior is influenced by one’s interactions with their environment. Interventions promoting PA in context of the environment for rural adolescents are needed. The objective of this qualitative study is to identify barriers and facilitators to PA among 6–8th grade adolescents in rural area. Study Setting and Participants Four focus groups of 6th–8th grade adolescents and four focus groups of adults were conducted in a low-income, rural community, South Dakota. A focus group moderator’s guide for adolescent and adult was created by project team