Individual and School‐Level Socioeconomic Gradients in Physical Activity in Australian Schoolchildren. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lewis, Lucy; Maher, Carol; Katzmarzyk, Peter; Olds, Timothy
• Is Part Of: Journal of school health. Volume 86:Number 2(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 105
• Page End: 112
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: socioeconomic status -- physical activity -- children -- school facilities -- sports; School health services -- Periodicals; School children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; School Health Services -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; 371.71
• DOI: 10.1111/josh.12357
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4391

Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: We attempted to determine whether there was a socioeconomic gradient in 9‐ to 11‐year‐old Australian children's moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and whether school facilities or policies supporting physical activity were associated with school‐level socioeconomic status (SES) and MVPA. METHODS: Children (N = 528) from 26 randomly selected schools participated in the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment. School‐level SES was determined by the Index of Community Socio‐Educational Advantage. MVPA was determined from 7‐day, 24‐hour accelerometry. School facilities (21 items) were evaluated with an objective school ground audit. School policies related to physical activity were collected (18 items) in a school administrator survey. Relationships among SES, MVPA, school facilities, and policies were examined using bivariate regression, correlation analyses, and analysis of variance. RESULTS: There was a clear SES gradient in daily and in‐school MVPA. School facilities or physical activity policies were not associated with SES or in‐school MVPA, with the exception of presence of a sports field which was associated with lower SES schools (p = .02) and lower in‐school MVPA (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: School‐built, policy, and resource environments are similar across different SES‐level schools. Therefore, some other mechanism must be underlying the SES gradients seen in MVPA participation in Australian children.