College student aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity: the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity among United States students

Abstract

Objective: To adopt an intersectional approach to examine differences in aerobic and muscle-strengthening participation based on the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity among college students. Methods: Data from the American College Health Association (ACHA) National College Health Assessment collected between 2015 and 2018 were analyzed. Differences in the prevalence of meeting activity recommendations based on the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity were computed and displayed graphically. Odds of meeting activity recommendations were determined by calculating odds ratios controlling for age, year of enrollment, sexual orientation, and health status. Results: Aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity differed significantly between races within genders, and between genders within races. With minor exceptions, men were more likely to meet aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity recommendations than women of the same race/ethnicity. Disparities based on race varied considerably between genders. Conclusions: The intersection of gender and race/ethnicity should be considered when examining and addressing physical activity disparities.

Keywords:

• Exercise
• health
• intersectionality
• resistance training
• sexual orientation
• young adults

Declaration of interests

The authors did not receive any funding for this project and have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.