Shwed Alanna, Bruner Brenda, Law Barbi, Bruner Mark W
School of Health and Exercise Science, The University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada.
School of Physical and Health Education, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON P1B 8L7, Canada.
Children (Basel). 2023 Feb 23;10(3):432. doi: 10.3390/children10030432.
Children who are physically active and involved in organized sport report having the unhealthiest diets. Research suggests excessive calories may be attributed to the prevalence of fast food and candy which are often provided as rewards in sport. This study explored the use of food as a reward in youth sport and the perceived impact it has on children's motivation to participate in recreational soccer and ice hockey. A multiple instrumental case study approach was utilized. Children aged 4-12 ( = 64), parents ( = 30), and coaches ( = 18) were recruited within central and northeastern Ontario, Canada to participate in focus groups and individual interviews. Transcribed audio recordings underwent inductive thematic analysis. Key themes included: Fun and fast: The culture of food in youth soccer and hockey; (Un)importance of food rewards: The how and why of motivating children in sport; and Youth sport is expensive: Gratitude for sponsorship in youth sport. Themes explain the role of food and food rewards as an element of the youth sport culture as well as the importance of sponsors, regardless of food affiliation, in youth sport. Overall, children's participation and effort would continue without food rewards; however, they continue to be offered food to motivate and celebrate performance in youth sport. Findings highlight the need to increase knowledge and awareness among parents and coaches on what truly motivates children to help foster healthier strategies for celebrating success and supporting lifelong physical activity.
积极参加有组织体育运动的儿童报告称，他们的饮食最不健康。研究表明，高热量摄入可能归因于快餐和糖果的盛行，而这些食品在体育运动中常被用作奖励。本研究探讨了在青少年体育运动中使用食物作为奖励的情况，以及其对儿童参与休闲足球和冰球运动动机的感知影响。采用了多案例研究方法。在加拿大安大略省中部和东北部招募了4至12岁的儿童（n = 64）、家长（n = 30）和教练（n = 18），让他们参加焦点小组和个人访谈。对转录的录音进行了归纳主题分析。关键主题包括：有趣又快速：青少年足球和曲棍球运动中的食物文化；食物奖励的（不）重要性：在体育运动中激励儿童的方式及原因；青少年体育运动成本高昂：对青少年体育运动赞助的感激之情。这些主题解释了食物和食物奖励作为青少年体育文化元素的作用，以及赞助商在青少年体育运动中的重要性，无论其与食物是否有关联。总体而言，即使没有食物奖励，儿童的参与和努力仍会持续；然而，在青少年体育运动中，食物仍被用于激励和庆祝表现。研究结果强调，需要提高家长和教练对真正激励儿童的因素的认识，以帮助培养更健康的策略来庆祝成功和支持终身体育活动。
