SEARCHOTHERpublic health, epidemiology

other·public health, epidemiology, nutrition, family medicine, pediatrics·PMC10355453

Healthy eating and physical activity: Analysing Soweto’s young adults’ perspectives with an intersectionality lens

PLOS Global Public Health · 6 authors, 5 centres

AI SUMMARY

FIDELITY 100%

POPULATION15 men and 15 women aged 18–24 years living in Soweto, South Africa (n=30).

INTERVENTION

COMPARISON

This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.

AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

TRACE TO SOURCE

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TL;DR

This qualitative study used focus groups to explore barriers and solutions to healthy eating and physical activity among young adults in Soweto, South Africa. The central finding is that participants face numerous intersecting barriers at individual, household, and community levels that hinder health-promoting behaviors, with gender-specific challenges.

Full summary

882 CHARS

This qualitative investigation used focus group discussions with 30 young adults in Soweto, South Africa, to explore barriers and solutions to healthy eating and physical activity through an intersectionality lens. Thematic analysis revealed participants understood the significance of healthy behaviors but felt unable to act due to multifaceted barriers like taste, affordability, safety, and lack of facilities. Young women reported sexism and safety concerns, while young men cited laziness and boredom. Proposed solutions included family meal sharing, health education in local languages, and community infrastructure. Limitations include the online format during COVID-19 and the exclusion of individuals who already practice healthy behaviors. The study concludes that interventions must address the complex, intersecting barriers at multiple societal levels to be effective.

PICO

PPOPULATION

15 men and 15 women aged 18–24 years living in Soweto, South Africa (n=30).

OOUTCOME

Perspectives on barriers and solutions to healthy eating and physical activity.

STUDY TYPE

other

SPECIALTY

public health

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10355453

Healthy eating and physical activity: Analysing Soweto’s young adults’ perspectives with an intersectionality lens

PLOS Global Public Health

READ THE FULL PAPER

ABSTRACT

Abstract Background and objectives Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are taking a toll on Africa’s youth at younger ages than in other regions. These are attributed to risk factors that usually advance in adolescence, such as unhealthy diets and reduced physical activity. Young adults in South Africa, particularly women, tend to be sedentary, consume energy-dense diets low in micronutrients, and are more likely to develop NCDs much earlier in life than those in high-income countries. With an intersectionality perspective, this study explored young adults’ barriers and solutions to addressing these risk factors in Soweto. Setting Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, is one of the most well-known historically disadvantaged townships known for its established communities, and socioeconomic and cultural diversity. Design : A qualitative investigation utilising focus group discussions (FGDs) with a topic guide. FGDs were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using a combination of deductive and inductive approaches. Participants 15 Men and 15 women 18–24 years of age living in Soweto (n = 30). Results : South African young adults have a basic understanding of the significance of nutrition, exercise, and their ties to health. However, numerous barriers (like taste, affordability and crime) to such behaviours were reported, arising from the participants’ personal, domestic, social, and local community levels. Young women experienced sexism and had safety concerns while exercising in the streets, while young men tended to describe themselves as lazy to engage in exercise as they find it boring. Conclusions Young adults face a multitude of intersecting barriers, making it difficult to adopt or sustain health-promoting behaviours. It is important that potential solutions focus on the intersections of barriers to healthy eating and physical activity in order to provide more realistic support for such behaviours.

CITATION EXPORT

Gudani Mukoma, Edna N Bosire, Sonja Klingberg et al.. Healthy eating and physical activity: Analysing Soweto’s young adults’ perspectives with an intersectionality lens. PLOS Global Public Health. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0001429

AUTHORS

6 · 5 CENTRES

Gudani Mukoma, Edna N Bosire, Sonja Klingberg, Shane A Norris, Leonor Guariguata, Leonor Guariguata

1Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Paediatrics, SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
2Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sports Science, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
3Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
4Faculty of Medicine, School of Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
5University of the Witwatersrand, SOUTH AFRICA