"Asthma isn't an excuse, it's just a condition": youths' perceptions of physical activity and screen time

During puberty, physical activity patterns begin to decline, while sedentary time increases. These changes may be confounded by asthma. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into youths' perceptions of screen time and physical activity by asthma status.

Four interviews and seven focus groups with boys only or girls only were conducted with 15- to 16-year-old youth enrolled in either of two asthma-focused cohorts in Manitoba, Canada. Using a semi-structured interview guide, youth were asked about their perceptions of physical activity and screen time such as texting, watching television, electronic games, and Internet chatting and about their perceptions of the influence that asthma has on these behaviors. Data were analyzed using thematic coding.

Two themes were common to youth with asthma and without asthma: (1) sports are an integral part of youths' lives and (2) screen time is important to youth. Two themes were identified among youth with asthma only: (1) physical activity used to be more difficult and (2) being active and living with asthma. Youth with asthma described physical activity as neither a hindrance to activity nor an excuse for inactivity, although asthma may still present some challenges. They also acknowledged their reliance on screen time for communication and for entertainment.

Youth with asthma believe that physical activity has become increasingly easier as they become older and that being active with asthma, despite its challenges, is a key part of their lives.