This phenomenological study explored how physical activity is experienced as a means for resilience as well as the defining characteristics and meaning of that experience. Four participants were interviewed, aged 18 to 21 years; all of which were receiving a university education at the time of the interviews. Physical activity has been connected to various physical, intellectual, psychological, and social benefits during adolescence. The participants in this study described their journeys to achieving wellness despite growing up with adversities collectively deemed as adverse. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was the methodology utilized to investigate the data generated through several semi-structured in depth interviews with the participants. The analyzed data formed the overarching theme of self development in the face of adversity, which was evident throughout the three superordinate themes: channeling energy, nurturing relationships, and challenging the self. The participants explained their passages through adolescence amidst adversities to be ones full of ups and downs, but ultimately progress towards their current accomplishments, goals, dreams, and personal growth. The themes are discussed within the context of the current literature and then followed by recommendations for future research, considerations for professionals, and a conclusion including words of wisdom from the participants.

Regular breakfast consumption among adolescents has been linked to decreased risk of obesity and chronic diseases, improved cognition and improved nutrient intake in adolescents. Despite this, research has indicated that adolescent breakfast consumption is declining globally. Adolescents are at particularly high-risk for health compromising behaviours such as increased fast food consumption, increased sedentary levels and frequent breakfast skipping. Research shows that lifestyle and behaviour habits which are entrenched during adolescence are likely to remain throughout adulthood. The reported prevalence of breakfast skipping among different adolescent population groups in South Africa ranges from 13 to 36%. However, little is known about breakfast behaviour among adolescents in the South African context. Studying breakfast behaviour and the mechanism by which breakfast influences positive health outcomes creates an understanding of the magnitude of the problem to be addressed and guides effective recommendations for public health guidelines. The aim of the present study was to determine the proportion and quality of breakfast intake among adolescents attending public secondary schools in Potchefstroom and its surrounding areas in the Northwest Province, and to determine the effect of breakfast intake and quality on overall diet quality and other lifestyle behaviours. A cross sectional quantitative study design was used. Adolescents in grades nine to eleven (n = 254) were randomly selected from seven public secondary schools across quintiles in Potchefstroom and its surrounding areas in the Northwest Province of South Africa. A basic self-administered demographic questionnaire was used. A single 24-hour recall using the four-stage multiple pass method was conducted to obtain information on breakfast and dietary intake for the day. A self-administered questionnaire was used to select the type of breakfast usually consumed by the adolescents. Height and weight were measured by a level one anthropomotrist. Dietary data was analysed using the Medical Research Council Food Composition Tables. Breakfast quality was measured through the allocation of a breakfast quality score and the Diet Quality Index Revised (DQI-R) was used to assess the quality of the overall diet. Associations between breakfast intake and categorical characteristics were assessed by either the Chi-squared Test or Fisher’s Exact Test. Spearman correlations were used to assess the associations between breakfast quality score and continuous variables. The threshold for statistical significance was set at 0.05. The Goldberg cut-off was applied to exclude over- and under-reporters. Information was collected for 244 adolescents with a mean age of 17.5 years (± 2.3). The proportion of breakfast intake and skipping was 81% and 19% respectively. The mean breakfast quality score was 3.1 out of a possible score of 5, indicating moderate breakfast quality which incorporates one of the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE) food groups. Breakfast intake was influenced by race, and breakfast quality was influenced by participation in physical activity. Breakfast eaters and skippers showed no significant difference in diet quality score. Breakfast quality score was marginally associated with calcium intake (p<0.0001; r=0.418), phosphorous intake (p<0.0001; r=0.378) and total diversity score (p<0.0001; r=0.369). The foods most frequently consumed at breakfast were bread, milk, ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) and maize porridge. In conclusion, breakfast skipping proportion was consistent with published South African data. The quality of the breakfast consumed among adolescents in the present study was moderate. Cultural and socio-environmental factors may influence breakfast intake and breakfast quality among adolescents. Breakfast intake did not influence diet quality, but the intake of certain foods at breakfast improved the mean scores for components of the DQI-R and improved the intake of key nutrients. It is recommended that the governmental departments responsible for the Integrated School Health Policy (ISHP) incorporate breakfast messaging into the nutrition education component of the ISHP. Facilitators involved in implementing the ISHP, such as School-based support teams, teachers and healthcare professionals are encouraged to continue the promotion of breakfast intake among adolescents. / MSc (Nutrition), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Regular breakfast consumption among adolescents has been linked to decreased risk of obesity and chronic diseases, improved cognition and improved nutrient intake in adolescents. Despite this, research has indicated that adolescent breakfast consumption is declining globally. Adolescents are at particularly high-risk for health compromising behaviours such as increased fast food consumption, increased sedentary levels and frequent breakfast skipping. Research shows that lifestyle and behaviour habits which are entrenched during adolescence are likely to remain throughout adulthood. The reported prevalence of breakfast skipping among different adolescent population groups in South Africa ranges from 13 to 36%. However, little is known about breakfast behaviour among adolescents in the South African context. Studying breakfast behaviour and the mechanism by which breakfast influences positive health outcomes creates an understanding of the magnitude of the problem to be addressed and guides effective recommendations for public health guidelines. The aim of the present study was to determine the proportion and quality of breakfast intake among adolescents attending public secondary schools in Potchefstroom and its surrounding areas in the Northwest Province, and to determine the effect of breakfast intake and quality on overall diet quality and other lifestyle behaviours. A cross sectional quantitative study design was used. Adolescents in grades nine to eleven (n = 254) were randomly selected from seven public secondary schools across quintiles in Potchefstroom and its surrounding areas in the Northwest Province of South Africa. A basic self-administered demographic questionnaire was used. A single 24-hour recall using the four-stage multiple pass method was conducted to obtain information on breakfast and dietary intake for the day. A self-administered questionnaire was used to select the type of breakfast usually consumed by the adolescents. Height and weight were measured by a level one anthropomotrist. Dietary data was analysed using the Medical Research Council Food Composition Tables. Breakfast quality was measured through the allocation of a breakfast quality score and the Diet Quality Index Revised (DQI-R) was used to assess the quality of the overall diet. Associations between breakfast intake and categorical characteristics were assessed by either the Chi-squared Test or Fisher’s Exact Test. Spearman correlations were used to assess the associations between breakfast quality score and continuous variables. The threshold for statistical significance was set at 0.05. The Goldberg cut-off was applied to exclude over- and under-reporters. Information was collected for 244 adolescents with a mean age of 17.5 years (± 2.3). The proportion of breakfast intake and skipping was 81% and 19% respectively. The mean breakfast quality score was 3.1 out of a possible score of 5, indicating moderate breakfast quality which incorporates one of the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE) food groups. Breakfast intake was influenced by race, and breakfast quality was influenced by participation in physical activity. Breakfast eaters and skippers showed no significant difference in diet quality score. Breakfast quality score was marginally associated with calcium intake (p<0.0001; r=0.418), phosphorous intake (p<0.0001; r=0.378) and total diversity score (p<0.0001; r=0.369). The foods most frequently consumed at breakfast were bread, milk, ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) and maize porridge. In conclusion, breakfast skipping proportion was consistent with published South African data. The quality of the breakfast consumed among adolescents in the present study was moderate. Cultural and socio-environmental factors may influence breakfast intake and breakfast quality among adolescents. Breakfast intake did not influence diet quality, but the intake of certain foods at breakfast improved the mean scores for components of the DQI-R and improved the intake of key nutrients. It is recommended that the governmental departments responsible for the Integrated School Health Policy (ISHP) incorporate breakfast messaging into the nutrition education component of the ISHP. Facilitators involved in implementing the ISHP, such as School-based support teams, teachers and healthcare professionals are encouraged to continue the promotion of breakfast intake among adolescents. / MSc (Nutrition), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This research project explores the relation between the participation of First Nations women in local governance and the well-being of First Nations youth. To explore this relation, semi-structured interviews were carried out with eleven First Nations women leaders. Special attention was paid to how these women conceptualized their relationships with youth and the differing approaches the women took to connect youth with their culture. The research aimed to identify: (1) the historical, social, and cultural influences that supported or challenged these women’s participation in government and their ability to influence youth; (2) how the women’s interest in the well-being of youth was influenced by their gender, family, and cultural roles; and (3) how these women described their contributions to the health and well-being of youth. Results point to four main themes that underpin the women’s activities as they relate to youth health and well-being: Identity, Relationships, Living in Two Worlds, and Holistic Caregivers.

This research project explores the relation between the participation of First Nations women in local governance and the well-being of First Nations youth. To explore this relation, semi-structured interviews were carried out with eleven First Nations women leaders. Special attention was paid to how these women conceptualized their relationships with youth and the differing approaches the women took to connect youth with their culture. The research aimed to identify: (1) the historical, social, and cultural influences that supported or challenged these women’s participation in government and their ability to influence youth; (2) how the women’s interest in the well-being of youth was influenced by their gender, family, and cultural roles; and (3) how these women described their contributions to the health and well-being of youth. Results point to four main themes that underpin the women’s activities as they relate to youth health and well-being: Identity, Relationships, Living in Two Worlds, and Holistic Caregivers.

The use of drugs by children are increasing in all communities and children who are using drugs for the first time are getting younger. This contributes to the fact that the use of drugs by primary school children in the pre-adolescent developing phase is increasing. During this developmental phase, the family of the child in which he/she grows up, plays an important role in the socialization of the child. Early exposure of the child to dysfunctional patterns within the family may contribute to the possible experimentation with drugs as a way for the child to compensate for the loss of emotional security. Due to the increasing reports of the pre-adolescent who uses drugs, the researcher was motivated to explore the factors that probably maintain this phenomenon. A research question to guide this research was formulated as follow: To what extent can the family's dynamics and functioning contribute to the experimentation and upkeep of drug abuse by the child in the primary school? A qualitative research design was used in order to explore the research question. Findings showed that the quality of the family system and the way in which the family functions, may contribute to the drug use of the child who is in the pre-adolescent developmental phase. / Dissertation (MSD (Research))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted