Feasibility study of asset mapping with children: Identifying how the community environment shapes activity and food choices in Alexander First Nation

• Main Authors: Fehderau, David D., Willows, Noreen D., Ball, Geoff D., Holt, Nicholas L.
• Other Authors: Alexander First Nation
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Child; Indians; Health Behavior; Environmental Determinants; Child Behavior; Community-Based Participatory Research; First Nations; Asset Mapping; Obesity; North American; Qualitative Research
• Online Access: https://era.library.ualberta.ca/items/94db564c-61a3-42a2-9227-49a2ed84de23; https://doi.org/10.7939/R39P2WK8J

Introduction: It is estimated that First Nations children living on reserves are 4.5 times more likely to be obese than Canadian children in general. Many First Nations children living on reserves have limited healthy food and physical activity options. Understanding how community factors contribute to First Nations children’s lifestyle choices is an understudied area of research. Furthermore, rarely has health research elicited First Nations children’s perspectives of their communities. The purpose of this study was to understand the external behavior-shaping factors that influence the lifestyle behaviors of First Nations’ children. Asset mapping with children was used to understand how community resources impacted children’s activity and eating options. Methods: Alexander First Nation is in central Alberta. Asset mapping was one component of a research project in the community to identify risk factors for children developing diabetes. Participants were a convenience sample of two high school students working at the local health centre and seven grade six children. Maps, photographs, and a tour of the town site enabled participants to identify places and spaces where they were active or could obtain food. For each of these assets, a description of how it was used and how it could be modified for better usage was derived from notes and transcripts using content analysis. Assets were grouped into usage categories, which were then mapped onto a layout of the community and presented at a community meeting to address childhood obesity. Results: Twenty-five places and spaces were identified as being activity or food related. Breakfast and/or lunch, concession foods (snack foods, eg chocolate bars, potato crisps) were obtained at school; meals and snack foods where cultural gatherings occur; and snack foods at the local store. Healthy food choices were limited. Children and youth were active at different locations in town, with only two spaces beyond the town site identified as locations for activity. Youth ...