Disparity in Physical Activity Among Urban Youth: An Ecologically Guided Assessment

Background

Insufficient physical activity among urban youth increases risk of chronic disease.

Purpose

This study assessed reported physical activity to determine when disparities in participation emerge and what ecologically guided factors are linked with high activity.

Methods

We administered a cross-sectional survey to a diverse sample of 321 fourth-, sixth-, and eighth-graders measuring physical activity and a range of ecologically guided variables via self-report. Students who reported high versus low levels of physical activity were compared in bivariate and stepwise regression models stratified by gender and grade to elucidate factors associated with high physical activity.

Results

The proportion of highly active students declined between fourth and sixth/eighth grade, driven largely by a decline in highly active girls. Unique factors were associated with high physical activity by grade or gender including self-efficacy among fourth-graders (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 14.51, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60–131.84), social support among sixth- and eighth-graders (aOR = 5.93, 95% CI, 2.04–17.29) and girls (aOR = 9.03, 95% CI, 1.95–41.75), and perceived normal weight status among boys (aOR = 6.62, 95% CI, 2.18–20.16).

Discussion

Declines in physical activity among girls may initiate earlier than previously reported.

Translation to Health Education Practice

School-based efforts to increase physical activity levels should be initiated as soon as fourth grade.

Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to all participating students and their parents as well as to Kathy Halkins and the administration of the Bethlehem Area School District. Additionally, we wish to recognize Jacqueline Grove for her thoughtful editing of the final article.

FUNDING

Support for this study was provided by the Sandy Schinfeld Memorial Fund and the Department of Public Health at Temple University.

Notes

Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/ujhe.