{
  "abstract": "Introduction\n\nOnly 3.9% of adolescents met the WHO-recommended physical activity level, highlighting the need to understand contextual barriers in urban Tanzania. Physical inactivity during adolescence contributes to future non-communicable disease risk, yet evidence on contextual barriers remains limited. Guided by a socio-ecological perspective, this study assessed physical activity among school-going adolescents and examined social and environmental influences.Methods\n\nA convergent mixed-methods study was conducted in three public secondary schools in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam, between July and November 2025. Quantitative data were collected from 381 adolescents aged 13-18 years selected through multistage and systematic sampling. Qualitative data were collected through three adolescent focus group discussions, three separate parent/guardian focus group discussions, and three physical education teacher interviews. Weekly physical activity was estimated from self-reported frequency and duration; at least 420 minutes/week was classified as meeting the WHO-recommended level. Quantitative data were analysed using univariable logistic regression, while qualitative data were analysed thematically.Results\n\nFifteen adolescents (3.9%) met the recommendation. Adolescents aged 16-18 years had lower odds of meeting the recommendation than those aged 13-15 years (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04-0.85), while boys had higher odds than girls (OR 8.85, 95% CI 1.97-39.78). Parental encouragement was inversely associated with meeting the recommendation (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10-0.83). Qualitative findings identified academic pressure, gender norms, social influence, limited facilities, and safety concerns.Conclusion\n\nInterventions should address school, social, gender-related, and environmental barriers, particularly among girls and older adolescents.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.",
    "Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU), Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania.",
    "School of Materials, Energy, Water and Environmental Sciences, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.",
    "Apotheker Consultancy (T) Limited, Health Access Initiative, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Zahra Abdi Aden",
      "orcid": "0009-0004-5429-622X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Olukayode Ganiu Odufuwa",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-3887-9394"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Anita Mukarugaika Rugaika",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-6313-9136"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Angel Dillip",
      "orcid": "0009-0004-5974-7093"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7jtatvptyb0kv.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.34172/hpp.45890",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13723411",
  "id": "7jtatvptyb0kv",
  "issns": [
    "2228-6497"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968724",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Original Article"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2737|Physical Activity and Health"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7224096246",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13723411?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13723411",
  "pmid": "42968724",
  "published": "2026-08-21",
  "publisher": "Tabriz University of Medical Sciences",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7jtatvptyb0kv.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-03T15:20:53Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42968724",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968724"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-04T12:22:03Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13723411",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.34172/hpp.45890"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2737|Physical Activity and Health",
      "subfield": "physiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "\"I Feel like Exercising is a Waste of Time\": A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study of Barriers to Physical Activity Among In-School Adolescents in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.",
  "title_text": "\"I Feel like Exercising is a Waste of Time\": A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study of Barriers to Physical Activity Among In-School Adolescents in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-05T12:20:14Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7jtatvptyb0kv",
  "venue": "Health promotion perspectives",
  "versions": []
}