Perspectives of nutrition and physical activity among families of an Indigenous Birth Cohort: a qualitative analysis exploring the barriers to and facilitators of healthy active living

Abstract

This is a qualitative description of the perspectives and experiences of 15 mothers from the Indigenous Birth Cohort Study as it relates to barriers and facilitators to building and sustaining healthy active living practices. Our findings illustrate six themes: 1) Systemic reinforcements of a colonial legacy; 2) Self-perceived roles as caregivers to young children; 3) Social support and family support systems; 4) Health histories (personal, family, community); 5) Locally-tailored programs and services; 6) Access to digital resources and technology. Participants also discussed solutions, which we illustrate across individual, program-level, and broader community perspectives. When suggesting or making recommendations for future interventions, programs, or new solutions, it is vital to make considerations through a lens that considers the distal (individual), intermediate (program-level), and proximal (broader community-level) barriers and facilitators for individuals with young families.