ABSTRACT
In Fiji, a Pacific Island country, non-communicable diseases affect a substantial proportion of the population, constituting the leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Because of the association between these negative health outcomes and obesity, especially among women, Fijian health experts and government leaders have acknowledged the critical task of urgently increasing women’s level of physical activity. While relevant policy makers and sporting stakeholders have taken measures to facilitate opportunities for women to access sport and exercise, the underlying causes and complexities of women’s leisure-time physical inactivity have yet to be closely examined. Based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative data sets, this chapter explores key socio-political factors shaping Fijian women’s leisure-time physical activity levels. From a sociological perspective, it examines the significance of structural inequalities of gender, race/ethnicity, and (dis)ability in understanding barriers to Fijian women’s participation in leisure-time physical activity, especially sport and exercise.
