Predisposing, Reinforcing and Enabling Predictors of Middle School Children's After-school Physical Activity Participation

Abstract

Background: Children's participation in after-school physical activity can attenuate the overweight and obesity rates among rural, low socioeconomic status (SES) children. Children's individual determination, as well as social and environmental factors, can influence their behaviors. Purpose: The purposes of this study were to determine if a difference existed in after-school physical activity participation among children from different socioeconomic strata and to identify predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling predictors of after-school physical activity. Methods: A crosssectional, descriptive research design using surveys was used with rural, middle school children. Results: Low SES children were more active than high SES children. Physical activity self-efficacy, attraction to physical activity, and access to equipment were statistically significant in predicting children's after-school physical activity level. Discussion: Interventions enhancing self-efficacy and providing enjoyable options with adequate equipment can foster children's after-school physical activity behavior. Further research however should examine reasons (e.g., farming) why low SES children reported themselves to be more active than not-low SES children; these results are contrary to results from other studies. Translation to Health Education Practice: Increasing overweight and obesity rates should prompt practitioners to consider implementing both physical activity and nutrition interventions specific to rural children.