Factors that influence teens' eating and physical activity behaviors: Findings from telephone focus groups

Background: Adolescent overweight has increased greatly in recent decades. Environmental factors have been associated with eating and exercise behavior.

Methodology: Teens' use of food and physical activity outlets were collected during twelve telephone focus groups in 2008. Groups were stratified by age, locale type (urban, suburban, or rural), and gender. Efforts were made to ensure diversity in participants' annual household income. A total of 120 teens were recruited, and 104 participated in the calls.

Findings: Cost and convenience appear to be the main factors that drive teens' eating and activity behaviors. Sources of food most frequently mentioned by teens were the home and school, followed by convenience stores and fast food restaurants near school, and convenience stores near home. Rural teens reported purchasing food and beverages at gas stations and, having limited access to other retail food outlets. Schools provide most opportunities for physical activity for teens through organized sports, physical education classes, and facilities (weight rooms, fields, etc.) Rural teens rarely reported informal use of school facilities for physical activity. Non-school activity settings included commercial fitness facilities, YMCAs/YWCAs, and local parks. Cost was cited as a barrier to participating in organized sports and using commercial fitness facilities, while safety was mentioned as a barrier to park usage.

Conclusions: Increasing access to healthy eating and activity options and/or reducing access to unhealthy foods/beverages may significantly impact adolescents' behaviors. Strategies may differ in rural communities where teens' food and activity options are more limited than their urban and suburban counterparts.