Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Screen Time Amongst Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Australian Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Studies
Ana Maria Contardo Ayala, Kate Parker, Natalie Lander, Lauren Arundell, Niamh O'Loughlin, Nicola D. Ridgers, Susan Paudel, Anthony Walsh and Jo Salmon
Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Vol.36(4), pp.1-31
adolescent child cultural diversity physical activity sedentary behaviour
Objectives: This scoping review synthesised evidence on the prevalence of, and factors influencing, physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB), and screen time (ST) among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) children and adolescents in Australia.
Methods: Five databases were searched in May 2025. Eligible studies examined prevalence and factors influencing PA, SB and ST among CALD youth. Quantitative data were summarised descriptively. Qualitative findings were synthesised thematically using the socio-ecological model.
Results: Twenty-six studies (11 quantitative, 15 qualitative) were included. Quantitative findings showed that CALD youth generally had lower PA and ST than their peers; some groups reported higher SB. There was diversity across cultures, with each group facing unique factors influencing movement behaviours. PA barriers included cultural and gender norms, academic priorities, safety concerns and limited facilities, while facilitators included PA enjoyment, peer/parental support, and school-based opportunities. For SB and ST, facilitators of more ST included enjoyment, stress relief, lack of alternatives, social connections and safety concerns, while barriers included parental awareness of harms and imposed restrictions.
Conclusions: CALD youth face culturally specific barriers to increasing PA and reducing SB, with limited research on ST determinants.
Details
Title
Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Screen Time Amongst Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Australian Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Studies
Authors
Ana Maria Contardo Ayala (Corresponding Author) - Deakin University
Kate Parker (Author) - Deakin University
Natalie Lander (Author) - Deakin University
Lauren Arundell (Author) - Deakin University
Niamh O'Loughlin (Author) - Deakin University
Nicola D. Ridgers (Author) - Deakin University
Susan Paudel (Author) - Deakin University
Anthony Walsh (Author) - Deakin University
Jo Salmon (Author) - Deakin University
Publication details
Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Vol.36(4), pp.1-31