Background
Lack of physical activity is associated with obesity in youth. African-American, Latino, and low-income adolescents have higher rates of obesity and are less physically active than their white or more affluent counterparts. Previous research suggests that having a role model is associated with greater levels of physical activity among youth. Similarly, research has suggested that greater social participation, or civic engagement, is associated with physical activity. There is also evidence that social support in community settings can promote physical activity. However, few studies have focused on social support in the school setting. In addition, little is known about whether the effects of role models, civic engagement, and support at school are beneficial across racial/ethnic and income groups.
Objectives
This study used a population-based dataset to examine the extent to which role models, civic engagement and support at school promote physical activity among groups at risk for inactivity and obesity, specifically low-income youth and youth of color.
Methods
Data were from the 2011-12 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), a random-digit dial (RDD) telephone survey of households drawn from every county in California. Analyses included responses from 2,799 adolescents ages 12-17. A validated self-report question was used to assess the number of days adolescents were physically active for 60 minutes or more. Regression analyses were used to examine the association of civic engagement, support at school, and role models with physical activity; stratified analyses examined variations by income and race/ethnicity. Analyses included the following factors: age, gender, race/ethnicity (white, Latino, Asian, African American and American Indian), household income, participation in clubs outside school besides sports, volunteer work in past year, feeling supported at school, and type of role model (family member, athlete, entertainer, teacher, friend, no role model).
Results
In California, adolescents were physically active for at least 60 minutes on an average of only 3.6 days in the last week. Adolescents from low-income households were active on fewer days than those from higher income households.
Conclusions
Civic engagement, feeling supported at school, and having a role model are associated with adolescent physical activity, and these factors also vary by race and income. Results from stratified regression analyses suggest that some of these factors may help promote physical activity among Latino, African-American, and low-income youth, groups at increased risk for physical inactivity and obesity.
Implications
Strengthening social support at school among low-income, Latino, and African-American youth may help promote physical activity in these groups. Information regarding variations by race and income in associations of role models, school support, and civic engagement with physical activity can inform programs and policies designed to reduce disparities in physical activity.
References
Yancey AK, Grant D, Kurosky S, Kravitz-Wirtz N, Mistry R. Role modeling, risk, and resilience in California adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2011;48(1):36-43. Lindström M, Hanson BS, Östergren P-O. Socioeconomic differences in leisure-time physical activity: the role of social participation and social capital in shaping health related behaviour. Social Science & Medicine. 2001;52(3):441-451. Kahn EB, Ramsey LT, Brownson RC, et al. The effectiveness of interventions to increase physical activity: A systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2002;22(4, Supplement 1):73-107. Hohepa M, Scragg R, Schofield G, Kolt GS, Schaaf D. Social support for youth physical activity: Importance of siblings, parents, friends and school support across a segmented school day. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2007;4:54.
Support / Funding Source
This work was supported by a grant from The California Endowment.
