BACKGROUND: We know that the social conditions in which children live exert a strong influence on their health; yet, we do not know how children's experience of these conditions of daily life shape their perspectives of health. METHODS: Through ethnographic research methods, the first author spent 1 year with the 14 6-year-old children involved in this research and examined how the contexts of daily life influenced the children's perspectives of health. The children involved in this study all lived in a neighbourhood characterized as having a complex of mid to high range of neighbourhood factors associated with vulnerability. RESULTS: The findings demonstrate that the children were able to articulate the health requirements of physical activity and healthy eating that supports their health. However, there was a disparity between the children's health knowledge, their perceptions and their contextual realities in relation to health. Children spoke of concerns for their physical safety within their schools and neighbourhoods; their lack of free range of play, and that they had few opportunities to play with or get to know neighbourhood friends. CONCLUSION: Professionals in contact with children and families who live in challenging social conditions need to be aware of how these contexts shape children's understanding of their own health potential.
BACKGROUND: We know that the social conditions in which children live exert a strong influence on their health; yet, we do not know how children's experience of these conditions of daily life shape their perspectives of health. METHODS: Through ethnographic research methods, the first author spent 1 year with the 14 6-year-old children involved in this research and examined how the contexts of daily life influenced the children's perspectives of health. The children involved in this study all lived in a neighbourhood characterized as having a complex of mid to high range of neighbourhood factors associated with vulnerability. RESULTS: The findings demonstrate that the children were able to articulate the health requirements of physical activity and healthy eating that supports their health. However, there was a disparity between the children's health knowledge, their perceptions and their contextual realities in relation to health. Children spoke of concerns for their physical safety within their schools and neighbourhoods; their lack of free range of play, and that they had few opportunities to play with or get to know neighbourhood friends. CONCLUSION: Professionals in contact with children and families who live in challenging social conditions need to be aware of how these contexts shape children's understanding of their own health potential.
Authors: Amalie Lambert; Janae Vlaar; Susan Herrington; Mariana Brussoni Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-10-11 Impact factor: 3.390