Mode de vie physiquement actif à l’égard des ainés : Analyse du discours d’ONG spécialisés dans ce domaine dans le contexte des grands changements démographiques ayant cours au Canada

Plain language summary

Institutional ageism represents an obstacle to the practice of physical activities among older people. As such, the study explored how organizations working in a field associated with a physically active lifestyle represent and communicate physical activities to this clientele. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 Quebec non-governmental organizations. Results of an inductive thematic analysis revealed conflicting perceptions regarding the concepts of age, aging, and physically active lifestyle as applied to older adults. Participants revealed a lack of knowledge and resources to adequately meet the needs of this population. Despite the recognition of diverse needs and capabilities within the aging population, participants' discourse primarily focused on frailty and declining capabilities. In addition, organizations revealed that they offer only a few activities, mainly low intensity and easy, while promulgating idealistic or even embellished images or contexts, to reduce sedentary behavior. The results highlight the need to reflect on the ability of organizations to communicate and encourage this large clientele as well as to diversify their service offering.

Description

The Aging and Physically Active Lifestyle project is the result of the work of students on internship at the Quebec Office of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). This project explores themes related to physically active lifestyle in the context of demographic and climate change. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the PHAC or the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ). The project is approved by the joint research ethics committee of Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, reference number CER 2021-025P. This document was produced by Micheline Najm, as part of a student employment program in continuity with her internship in the Master's program of the School of Public Health of the Université de Montréal, Health Promotion option. This 12-week extension took place in the winter of 2022 in the Knowledge Unit of the Quebec Office of the Public Health Agency of Canada, under the supervision of Lucie Lapierre (researcher-analyst) and Mathieu-Joël Gervais (scientific advisor, INSPQ).

Subject

• Health

Pagination

15

Peer review

Internal Review

Open access level

Gold

Citation(s)

Najm, M., Lapierre, L. et Gervais, M. (2022) Mode de vie physiquement actif à l’égard des ainés : Analyse du discours d’ONG spécialisés dans ce domaine dans le contexte des grands changements démographiques ayant cours au Canada. 15 pages.