Assessing Community Needs and Opportunities : Enhancing UBC Active Kids Programming
Creators: name: Roy, Ghia
name: Mann, Anmol
name: Sahota, Sartaaj
name: Norman, James
name: Lee, Nicholas
Publisher: name: The University of British Columbia
Year: 2024

description: Background and Purpose The rising concern over sedentary lifestyles among children and adolescents prompted this investigation into barriers influencing participation in recreational physical activity programs within the UBC Vancouver community such as UBC Active Kids. UBC Active Kids offers a wide variety of youth sports programs. With an increasing focus on the health and well-being of children and adolescents, understanding these barriers are crucial for promoting active and healthy lifestyles. Methods A cross-sectional observational study design was employed, using an anonymous online survey administered through Qualtrics. The survey consisted of a mix of open-ended, scale, and close-ended questions, targeting caregivers of children and adolescents between the ages of 1.5 to 18 years old residing on the UBC Vancouver campus. Recruitment aimed to gather a minimum of 60 participants within a three-week timeframe, employing various distribution methods including posters, social media, and email. The survey incorporated elements of the Health Belief Model to gain insights into health behaviors influencing families’ experiences in the Active Kids program. Key Findings Our findings revealed a significant lack of awareness about the UBC Active Kids program among UBC residents, with only 65% of participants being aware of its existence. Additionally, issues with program availability and registration posed significant barriers to participation. Common barriers included time constraints, financial concerns, and unfamiliarity with available programs. Notably, while cultural, language, and gender-specific barriers were less frequently cited, their impact may be underestimated due to the limited representation of newcomers in our study. Recommendations Based on our findings, we propose several recommendations to enhance participation in the Active Kids program. Firstly, increasing program awareness through targeted social media campaigns can address the lack of awareness and understanding of programs. Secondly, optimizing the registration process by prioritizing UBC community members and adjusting registration timings can address issues related to program availability. Thirdly, catering to cultural preferences by introducing culturally specific activities, starting with popular sports like cricket, can enhance inclusivity. Lastly, providing financial support through grants for low-income families can address the significant financial barrier hindering participation. Conclusion In conclusion, our study sheds light on the unique and common barriers affecting participation in the Active Kids program among UBC Vancouver residents. By implementing the recommended strategies, we aim to foster a supportive environment that encourages active participation, ultimately promoting the overall health and well-being of children and adolescents in the UBC Vancouver community. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”