The purpose of this study was to examine physical activity levels and influencing individual and environmental factors in a group of adolescent survivors of cancer and a comparison group. Methods. The study was conducted using a “mixed methods” design. Quantitative data was collected from 48 adolescent survivors of cancer and 48 comparison adolescents using the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, the Fatigue Scale—Adolescents, and the Amherst Health and Activity Study—Student Survey. Qualitative data was collected in individual semistructured interviews. Results. Reported leisure-time physical activity total scores were not significantly different between groups. Physical activity levels were positively correlated with adult social support factors in the group of adolescent survivors of cancer, but not in the comparison group. Time was the primary barrier to physical activity in both groups. Fatigue scores were higher for the comparison but were not associated with physical activity levels in either group. The qualitative data further supported these findings. Conclusions. Barriers to physical activity were common between adolescent survivors of cancer and a comparative group. Increased knowledge of the motivators and barriers to physical activity may help health care providers and families provide more effective health promotion strategies to adolescent survivors of pediatric cancer. 1. Introduction The probability of survival into adulthood for children treated for cancer has increased from 30% to nearly 80% in the past 30 years [1]. Rates as high as 90% have been achieved for survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia [2]. However, this increase in long-term survival comes with a high risk of long-term morbidity and premature mortality from chronic diseases associated with the late effects of cancer treatments. These can include obesity, decreased bone density, poor exercise capacity, reduced muscle strength and extensibility, balance problems, fatigue, sleep problems, osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary complications, and psychosocial problems [3–6]. Two-thirds of survivors of childhood cancer experience at least one late effect of cancer treatment, and as many as one-quarter experience a late effect serious enough to limit function or become life threatening [3]. Participation in regular physical activity has been found to have several benefits in adult and pediatric oncology populations including amelioration of many of the noted late effects and reduced risk of some cancers [6–8]. Population levels of participation in
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