A qualitative synthesis of the perceived factors that affect participation in physical activity among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Aims To explore the qualitative literature on the perceived factors, positive and negative, affecting participation by children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in physical activity, from the perspective of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, their family members, teachers or sports coaches, and healthcare professionals.

Methods MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Scopus were systematically searched in July 2019. Eligible studies included any that reported qualitative findings on the perceived factors that affect participation in physical activity from either the perspective of children or adolescents with type 1 diabetes, their family members, teachers or coaches, and healthcare professionals.

Results The literature search yielded a total of 7859 studies, of which 14 (13 qualitative studies and one mixed‐methods study) met the review inclusion criteria. In total there were 12 unique populations containing 270 individuals, 105 children or adolescents with type 1 diabetes,108 family members, 37 teachers and 20 healthcare professionals. The main factors thought to influence physical activity for this population were the individual characteristics of children and adolescents, the requirement for self‐blood glucose regulation, support systems including friends, family, teachers and professionals, education and knowledge, and communication.

Conclusions This review synthesizes views on the perceived factors from several different perspectives. The findings suggest that it is important to consider the needs of the wider support network, as well as the child's or adolescent’s concerns and preferences, when developing new or existing strategies and programmes to promote physical activity in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.