Conference Agenda
Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).
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GR2_1: Abstract presentations: Physical Activity and Health in Children and Adolescents Location: Glass room 2 Session Chair: Andrea Backović Juričan | |
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12:29pm - 12:39pm
Gender norms and peer dynamics in school-based physical activity: experiences of adolescent girls in low-socioeconomic school contexts 1: Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Huddinge, Sweden; 2: University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Sciences, Psychology and Sport Science, Gävle, Sweden; 3: Stockholm University, Department of Special Education, Stockholm, Sweden.; 4: Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Occupational Therapy, Huddinge, Sweden; 5: The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH), Department of Health Sciences, Division of Public Health Stockholm, Sweden; 6: Karolinska Institutet, Department of Global Public Health, Stockholm, Sweden Aim: Engaging adolescent girls in school-based physical activity remains challenging, particularly in low-socioeconomic areas. The aim was to explore sociocultural factors related to school-based physical activity participation among adolescent girls in low-socioeconomic school contexts in Sweden. Methods: A qualitative ethnographic design was used. The study was conducted within the School Project for Brain Health, a school-based intervention combining structured physical activity, homework support with activity breaks, and walking sessions with audiobooks. Data were collected through participant observations in eight intervention schools located in low-socioeconomic areas between 2021–2025. Field notes were analysed using thematic analysis informed by a critical realist perspective. Results: Four themes describe patterns in girls’ participation. First, supportive activity leaders and inclusive activities shaped engagement. Second, gendered expectations and cultural norms were visible in how activities were organised and received by students, including assumptions that boys were more suited for certain activities. Girls also reported that, even though they were physically active outside school, they faced lower expectations regarding participation in school physical activities. Third, peer relations were central, with friendship groups supporting participation while social hierarchies sometimes limited involvement. Fourth, activities characterised by choice, flexibility, and enjoyment were described as more accessible and inviting for participation. Conclusions: Girls’ participation in school-based physical activity in low-socioeconomic contexts was shaped by gender norms, peer relations, and competence expectations. Interventions need to consider sociocultural factors and offer flexible, choice-based activities, with supportive leadership, for equitable participation. Funding Source: Knowledge Foundation, Skandia, Kamprad Foundation, Swedish ESF Council, SFO-V. | |
