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Citation
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Thornton CM, Cain KL, Conway TL, Kerr J, Saelens BE, Frank LD, Glanz K, Sallis JF. J. Phys. Act. Health 2017; 14(5): 382-388. |
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Affiliation
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Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA. |
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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: The after-school period provides an opportune context for adolescent physical activity. This study examined how characteristics of after-school recreation environments related to adolescent physical activity.
METHODS: Participants were 889 adolescents aged 12-17 (M = 14.1, SD = 1.4) from two US regions. Adolescents reported on whether their school offered after-school supervised physical activity, access to play areas/fields, and presence of sports facilities. Outcomes were accelerometer-measured after-school physical activity, reported physical activity on school grounds during non-school hours, attainment of 60 minutes of daily physical activity excluding school physical education, and BMI-for-age z-score. Mixed regression models adjusted for study design, region, sex, age, ethnicity, vehicles/licensed drivers in household, and distance to school.
RESULTS: School environment variables were all significantly associated with self-reported physical activity on school grounds during non-school hours (p <.001) and attainment of 60 minutes of daily physical activity (p <.05). Adolescents' accelerometer-measured after-school physical activity was most strongly associated with access to supervised physical activity (p =.008).
CONCLUSIONS: Policies and programs that provide supervised after-school physical activity and access to play areas, fields, and sports facilities may help adolescents achieve daily physical activity recommendations.
Language: en |