The Privilege of Healthy Eating: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Local Food Choices of Low-Income Families from Appalachia

Using qualitative semi-structured interviews, 15 low-income women of different ages were asked to discuss their perceptions of healthy eating, local farmers’ markets, as well as their visitation of farmers’ markets. The participants were also asked to share what features of farmers’ markets they found appealing. The results showed that most of the participants had either a deep or moderate understanding of what it means to eat healthy. However, many of them also believed they could improve their own patterns of eating. The data also showed that the low-income women who took part in the study had positive attitudes overall toward local farmers’ markets, despite rather low levels of visitation (only 5 participants had visited farmers’ market at least once and only one of them visited farmers’ market on a regular basis). Lastly, participants discussed constraints that prevented them from visiting farmers’ markets more often and provided suggestions for possible facilitators to increase the frequency of their use of farmers’ markets

Redefining Boundaries In Families Through Social Networking Leisure

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence the use of social networking sites (SNS) for leisure has on boundaries between families and the outside world, as well as boundaries between family members. The family systems theory and the concept of boundaries served as a basis for this study. Seven families (22 individual family members) took part in the study. Group and individual interviews were conducted for this study. The data supported previous research claiming that connection with the outside world was among the major reasons for using SNS. The findings also suggested that families tried to preserve clear boundaries between themselves and the outside world by controlling who can access their accounts, what information can be shared and what is appropriate time to use SNS. The findings also suggested that the boundaries between family members are constantly being redefined to meet the changing realities of technological worl

Perceived Discrimination In Leisure Settings In Latino Urban Communities

This study explored: (1) whether Latino residents of two highly segregated neighbourhoods in Chicago, IL, USA, experienced or witnessed any discriminatory incidents in leisure settings; (2) what were the most frequent places and types of discrimination they encountered; (3) who were the perpetrators of discriminatory acts and (4) how people responded to discrimination. Moreover, Latinos own interracial/inter-ethnic attitudes toward members of other ethnic/racial groups were examined. Data were collected with the use of surveys and focus groups. The results suggest perceived discrimination is an important constraint on recreation behaviour among Latino urban residents. The findings revealed that Latinos most often experienced discrimination from African Americans and Whites visiting the parks, as well as from law enforcement officers. Verbal harassment from other recreationists, being stopped and searched by police and being denied a service or being given substandard service were named most often as the types of discrimination. Survey respondents indicated that they responded to discrimination by visiting the locations with a group of people or by notifying the police, whereas focus groups participants suggested withdrawal was the most often employed tactic. The findings also suggested a disconnect between Latinos’ interracial/inter-ethnic attitudes at the individual and group levels. Although the interviewees reported having positive to neutral interracial/inter-ethnic attitudes, they were willing to acknowledge the existence of prejudicial attitudes among Latinos at the group level

Family and Marital Satisfaction and the Use of Social Network Technologies

The popularity of social network sites (SNS) is increasing among all age groups. Since shared leisure is considered to be one of the key factors that contribute to the stability and quality of marriage and family and life satisfaction, the interplay between the use of SNS by family members, their leisure and their marital and family satisfaction should be examined. The objectives of this study were to: (1) Explore how the use of SNSs by family members influences and is influenced by family leisure and family satisfaction; (2) Examine how the use of SNSs by couples influences and is influenced by marital leisure and marital satisfaction; and (3) Examine what rules families have regarding the use of SNSs and how those rules influence their family and marital satisfaction. In this study, 7 families, including 21 individual family members, participated in family and individual interviews. The data showed that participants perceived the use of SNSs to influence their satisfaction with family leisure and their family satisfaction in a variety of ways. Among the negative influences were concerns related to communication in the family, insufficient time spent with family, and lack of attention during interactions. The participants also reported positive influences of SNSs, including an opportunity to update relatives and friends on their family life and development of a sense of belonging. Family relationships also influenced the use of SNS and either led to an increase or decrease in their use as a result of conflicts and tensions. The majority of the families only had unspoken rules related to limited screen time and appropriateness of information shared via SNSs. As a result of the study, the Circular Model of Interaction between SNS, Leisure, and Family Satisfaction was developed. Suggestions for both practitioners and future researchers were provided

Recreation in Families with Children with Developmental Disabilities: Caregivers’ Use of Online and Offline Support Groups

The purpose of this study was to explore what role online and offline support groups play in the lives of families with children who have developmental disabilities. Eight semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with married mothers who had one to five children. The study revealed that caregivers saw online and offline support groups as playing important but different roles in their lives and the lives of their families. Online support groups were particularly appreciated during the initial steps of learning about a child’s disability when caregivers felt isolated and eager to learn more. During that stage, online support groups offered them volumes of valuable information and access to people across the world who go through similar experiences. Offline support groups offered participants of this study a sense of strong connection and belonging, and allowed them to spend time with other adults and learn about resources available in their community. The mothers also appreciated the opportunity provided to the children with disabilities and their siblings to make friends and spend time together

Recreation in Families with Children with Development Disability: Caregivers\u27 Use of Online and Offline Support Groups

The purpose of this study was to explore what role online and offline support groups play in the lives of families with children who have developmental disabilities. Eight semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with married mothers who had one to five children. The study revealed that caregivers saw online and offline support groups as playing important but different roles in their lives and the lives of their families. Online support groups were particularly appreciated during the initial steps of learning about a child’s disability when caregivers felt isolated and eager to learn more. During that stage, online support groups offered them volumes of valuable information and access to people across the world who go through similar experiences. Offline support groups offered participants of this study a sense of strong connection and belonging, and allowed them to spend time with other adults and learn about resources available in their community. The mothers also appreciated the opportunity provided to the children with disabilities and their siblings to make friends and spend time together

Health and Recreation Perceptions of Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Because of the high rates of obesity among people with developmental disabilities (DD) and our limited knowledge about their perceptions of what it means to live a healthy lifestyle, it is imperative that we conduct research to expand our understanding of their attitudes towards and engagement in active recreation and healthy eating practices. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to explore (a) adults’ with DD attitudes toward healthy eating and active recreation; (b) adults’ with DD intentions and interests for active recreation; and (c) barriers to active recreation and healthy eating. Eighteen adults with DD (16 of whom were overweight) completed an interview. The analysis of the results was guided by Social Cognitive Theory and revealed that the participants with disabilities require additional education about what foods and activities are healthy. The participants also named several major barriers to participating in active recreation. The findings suggested a need for leisure education to focus on healthy lifestyle choices among people with DD and their social circle, including caretakers and family

Health and Recreation Perceptions of Adults With Developmental Disabilities

Because of the high rates of obesity among people with developmental disabilities (DD) and our limited knowledge about their perceptions of what it means to live a healthy lifestyle, it is imperative that we conduct research to expand our understanding of their attitudes towards and engagement in active recreation and healthy eating practices. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to explore (a) adults’ with DD attitudes toward healthy eating and active recreation; (b) adults’ with DD intentions and interests for active recreation; and (c) barriers to active recreation and healthy eating. Eighteen adults with DD (16 of whom were overweight) completed an interview. The analysis of the results was guided by Social Cognitive Theory and revealed that the participants with disabilities require additional education about what foods and activities are healthy. The participants also named several major barriers to participating in active recreation. The findings suggested a need for leisure education to focus on healthy lifestyle choices among people with DD and their social circle, including caretakers and family

That\u27s Not a Problem Here : Recreation Professionals\u27 Perceptions of Cyberbullying in Youth Programs

Cyberbullying impacts healthy youth development. Due to the complexity of this issue, solutions to address cyberbullying need to include multiple agents. Currently, little is known about youth-focused programs’ strategies and policies to prevent and address cyberbullying. Thus, to begin the discussion about cyberbullying in youth programs, the recreation practitioners were interviewed in two states (Minnesota and North Carolina). The objectives of this study are: To explore recreational youth program administrators’ points of view on the issue of cyberbullying. To explore strategies currently used by recreational program staff to address and prevent cyberbullying. To provide specific strategies and recommendations for dealing with cyberbullying in recreation settings. The youth program staff believed that cyberbullying was a serious societal issue. However, staff reported that they lacked awareness of cyberbullying and specific strategies to address it. Using an ecological framework, the authors provide several recommendations for parks and recreation professionals