Implementing Change to Arrest the Decline in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) for Adolescent Girls in Two Rural and Regional High Schools

Abstract

Inactivity has been linked to a range of lifestyle conditions such as hypertension, type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease (World Health Organisation, 2009). Engagement in physical activity and in sport has been consistently reported to decline as the general population ages (Telama et al., 2005). In particular, the age of adolescence has been identified as a time of decreasing physical activity most often at a greater rate than adjacent age groups (Booth et al., 1997; Trost et al., 2002; Webber et al., 2008). However, for adolescent girls, the decline in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) has been greater than their male peers specifically in New South Wales (NSW), Australia (Hardy, Okely & Booth, 2008). Physical activity and participation rates are lower in outer regional and remote areas of Australia when compared to participants living in metropolitan settings, and females in rural settings are the most inactive of all groups (AIHW, 2012: 206). Adolescent girls residing in rural contexts are emerging as being at a disadvantage when it comes to practicing healthy lifestyle choices (McKenzie et al., 2004). A lack of physical activity is one of the most modifiable risk factors related to the morbidity and mortality health outcomes of individuals (Brown et al., 2007; Warburton et al., 2006). In addition, physical and mental health is enhanced through regular physical activity, and general emotional well-being is reported to be heightened for all active age groups (Steptoe & Butler, 1996).