Introduction
Research on geographic differences in children’s
physical activity (PA) engagement is limited. This study examined the prevalence
of PA and sedentary behaviors in a probability sample of children in the 4th
(mean age, 9.7 years; n = 7,907), 8th (mean age, 13.7 years; n = 8,827), and
11th (mean age 16.9 years; n = 6,456) grades by urban, suburban, and rural
location in Texas.
Methods
Using data from the 2004-2005 School Physical Activity and
Nutrition (SPAN) study, we conducted logistic regression analyses stratified by
sex to assess associations of 6 PA indicators and 2 sedentary behavior
indicators with metropolitan status.
Results
Urban 8th- and 11th-grade students reported the lowest
prevalence of PA. Suburban or rural schools were significantly more likely than
their urban counterparts to report higher school-based sports team participation
in 8th graders ( P = .001); higher vigorous PA ( P = .01) and
strengthening exercise ( P = .01) in 11th-grade boys; and higher physical
education attendance in 4th ( P < .01) and 11th graders ( P =
.05). Sports team ( P = .04) and other organized PA participation
( P = .04) in urban 4th-grade girls and vigorous PA in urban 8th-grade
boys ( P = .04) were the only behaviors for which a significantly higher
prevalence was reported compared with nonurban counterparts. We observed few
significant geographic differences in prevalence of television watching and
video game playing.
Conclusion
Several significant differences in PA behaviors were
found by metropolitan status in this sample of public school students in Texas.
Research is needed on availability of PA opportunities and PA barriers by
metropolitan status to better understand the lower prevalence estimates reported
in older urban children.