Differences of In-School Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity among Fourth Grade Urban Youth

Abstract

ABSTRACT There is a clear and well-documented link between physical activity (PA) and health. However, many youth do not participate in the recommended levels of PA in order to gain health benefits. Given the health disparities among urban youth, specifically among African American youth, and mindful of the lack of data for Arab Americans, the purpose of this study was to determine if in-school PA levels differed between European American, African American and Arab American urban elementary school children. The pilot study consisted of a sample that included 266 (107 males; M age = 9.36) fourth grade students whose in-school PA data was collected using an ActiGraph GT3X+ for six school days. Results showed male students were more active than female students, while African American and European American students were more physically active than their Arab American counterparts. This study highlights the difference of in-school PA levels of urban-minority students and discusses how urban schools should be intervening with Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs designed for urban youth in order to prevent the onset of disease in adulthood. Health and physical educators should consider creating programs that are culturally relevant in order to increase PA levels of all youth.