Factors Associated With Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines In A Diverse Sample Of 3rd-5th Grade Students

In the U.S. less than 25% of children are meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines, with Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Black youth observed to have lowest prevalences (15.7 and 19.5%, respectively)(Merlo et al., 2019; CAHMI, 2020). To address physical inactivity, researchers have investigated correlates of PA such as value beliefs, outcome expectations and social support as positive promoters of child and adolescent physical activity behavior(Chiang et al., 2011; Sallis et al., 2000). However, these factors have not specifically been investigated as factors associated with meeting PA guidelines for Hispanic and Black youth. PURPOSE: To examine if PA outcome beliefs and perception of social support are associated with meeting PA guidelines in a diverse sample of 3rd-5th grade students. METHODS: Participants were 235, 3rd through 5th grade students (mean age 9.7 ± 0.9 years; 55% females; 56% Hispanic and 31% Non-Hispanic Black). PA outcome expectations was assessed using 7 items reflecting agreement or disagreement with outcomes after being physically active every day. PA support was assessed with 4 items reflecting both family and friend support of PA during the past month. Meeting the guidelines for PA was captured by a binary outcome if participants self-reported 7 days per week of moderate to vigorous PA. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that PA outcome expectations (β =0.77; OR = 1.08; p = .04), PA support (β =0.126; OR = 1.13; p = .009), and gender[female] (β = -.619; OR = .54; p = 0.05) were significant predictors of meeting PA guidelines after controlling for ethnicity and age(R2 = .11 (Cox & Snell), .16 (Nagelkerke), Model χ2(8) = 27.83, p < .001). Positive PA outcome expectations increased the odds of meeting the guidelines by 8%, PA support by 13%, and being female decreased odds of meeting the guidelines (46%). CONCLUSIONS: This evidence supports previous findings for psychosocial influences of PA in Black youth while providing opposing evidence for Hispanic youth(Lee & Gao, 2021; Gao, 2012). Nevertheless, these results identify significant factors that can benefit PA in youth from diverse backgrounds and highlight the continued gender disparities present in PA behavior.