Physical activity stages of change surveillance data shows that the majority of Hawai‘i’s Keiki (Children) meet the guidelines

Abstract

ABSTRACTTargeting Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) children based on their physical activity (PA) stages of change (SOC) may improve intervention effectiveness. No known SOC surveillance system exists for NHOPI jurisdictions. The purpose was to determine the PA SOC prevalence over 5 years in children living in Hawaiʻi. Self-reported PA SOC from 5 cohorts (3–6 grade students) in Hawaiʻi were compared between cohorts and sex. The combined PA SOC distribution (n = 1726, 50.7% female) was: Precontemplation, 7.5%; Contemplation, 7.6%; Preparation, 9.9%; Action, 33.4%; Maintenance, 41.5%. There were no significant difference between cohorts 1 and 2 (n = 258), χ2 (16) = 21.75, p = 0.15; 2 and 3 (n = 129), χ2 (16) = 17.51, p = 0.35; 3 and 4 (n = 171), χ2 (16) = 17.28, p = 0.77; 4 and 5 (n = 129), χ2 (16) = 17.51, p = 0.35; and for all cohorts between males and females (p > 0.05). Most participants were in Action and Maintenance. Prevention efforts should emphasize maintaining PA levels. Extending PA behavior surveillance systems to include intention in NHOPI jurisdictions is warranted.