Perceptions surrounding the possible interaction between physical activity, pollution and asthma in children and adolescents with and without asthma

Abstract A cornerstone of asthma management is maintaining physical activity (PA), but this may lead to increased exposure to, and deeper inhalation of, pollutants. Furthermore, children and adolescents may be more susceptible to the deleterious impacts of such exposures. Despite the recent air qual...

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Main Authors: Kathryn A. Jordan, Kelly A. Mackintosh, Gwyneth A. Davies, Chris J. Griffiths, Paul D. Lewis, Melitta A. McNarry
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-12-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17174-6
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author Kathryn A. Jordan
Kelly A. Mackintosh
Gwyneth A. Davies
Chris J. Griffiths
Paul D. Lewis
Melitta A. McNarry
author_facet Kathryn A. Jordan
Kelly A. Mackintosh
Gwyneth A. Davies
Chris J. Griffiths
Paul D. Lewis
Melitta A. McNarry
author_sort Kathryn A. Jordan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract A cornerstone of asthma management is maintaining physical activity (PA), but this may lead to increased exposure to, and deeper inhalation of, pollutants. Furthermore, children and adolescents may be more susceptible to the deleterious impacts of such exposures. Despite the recent air quality campaigns and media coverage surrounding the dangers of air pollution to respiratory health, few target children and their understanding of such issues. Using semi structured interviews, understanding of PA, air pollution and their interaction was explored with 25 youth aged 7—17 years. Utilising NVIVO 12 software, an atheoretical, inductive thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes which were subsequently presented as pen profiles with the number of common responses within a theme indicative of its strength. The majority (88%) of youth’s indicated traffic-related air pollution and global manufacturing as key sources of air pollution. Whilst all youths were aware of outdoor pollution, only 52% were aware of indoor air pollutants, of which 62% had asthma. Despite some uncertainty, all youths described pollution in a negative fashion, with 52% linking air pollution to undesirable effects on health, specifically respiratory health. PA in a polluted area was thought to be more dangerous than beneficial by 44%, although 24% suggested the benefits of PA would outweigh any detriment from pollution. Youth are aware of, and potentially compensate for, the interaction between air pollution and PA. Strategies are needed to allow youth to make more informed decisions regarding how to promote PA whilst minimising exposure to air pollution.
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spelling doaj.art-207699572a2c4b38a76dcf571061e8f92023-12-10T12:34:44ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582023-12-0123111010.1186/s12889-023-17174-6Perceptions surrounding the possible interaction between physical activity, pollution and asthma in children and adolescents with and without asthmaKathryn A. Jordan0Kelly A. Mackintosh1Gwyneth A. Davies2Chris J. Griffiths3Paul D. Lewis4Melitta A. McNarry5Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea UniversityDepartment of Sport and Health Sciences, Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea UniversitySwansea University Medical School, Swansea UniversityBarts Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of LondonSchool of Management, Swansea University and Vindico ICSDepartment of Sport and Health Sciences, Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea UniversityAbstract A cornerstone of asthma management is maintaining physical activity (PA), but this may lead to increased exposure to, and deeper inhalation of, pollutants. Furthermore, children and adolescents may be more susceptible to the deleterious impacts of such exposures. Despite the recent air quality campaigns and media coverage surrounding the dangers of air pollution to respiratory health, few target children and their understanding of such issues. Using semi structured interviews, understanding of PA, air pollution and their interaction was explored with 25 youth aged 7—17 years. Utilising NVIVO 12 software, an atheoretical, inductive thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes which were subsequently presented as pen profiles with the number of common responses within a theme indicative of its strength. The majority (88%) of youth’s indicated traffic-related air pollution and global manufacturing as key sources of air pollution. Whilst all youths were aware of outdoor pollution, only 52% were aware of indoor air pollutants, of which 62% had asthma. Despite some uncertainty, all youths described pollution in a negative fashion, with 52% linking air pollution to undesirable effects on health, specifically respiratory health. PA in a polluted area was thought to be more dangerous than beneficial by 44%, although 24% suggested the benefits of PA would outweigh any detriment from pollution. Youth are aware of, and potentially compensate for, the interaction between air pollution and PA. Strategies are needed to allow youth to make more informed decisions regarding how to promote PA whilst minimising exposure to air pollution.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17174-6Air pollutionPhysical activityAsthmaChildren
spellingShingle Kathryn A. Jordan
Kelly A. Mackintosh
Gwyneth A. Davies
Chris J. Griffiths
Paul D. Lewis
Melitta A. McNarry
Perceptions surrounding the possible interaction between physical activity, pollution and asthma in children and adolescents with and without asthma
BMC Public Health
Air pollution
Physical activity
Asthma
Children
title Perceptions surrounding the possible interaction between physical activity, pollution and asthma in children and adolescents with and without asthma
title_full Perceptions surrounding the possible interaction between physical activity, pollution and asthma in children and adolescents with and without asthma
title_fullStr Perceptions surrounding the possible interaction between physical activity, pollution and asthma in children and adolescents with and without asthma
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions surrounding the possible interaction between physical activity, pollution and asthma in children and adolescents with and without asthma
title_short Perceptions surrounding the possible interaction between physical activity, pollution and asthma in children and adolescents with and without asthma
title_sort perceptions surrounding the possible interaction between physical activity pollution and asthma in children and adolescents with and without asthma
topic Air pollution
Physical activity
Asthma
Children
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17174-6
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