Physical Attributes of Youth Involved in an Urban Tennis Program

Abstract

At present one out of seven low income children is obese. However, the Centers for Disease Control states that the level of obesity in this population may be stabilizing. In 1998, 12.4% of low income children were obese, with 14.5% reported as such in 2003. 2008 numbers show a leveling off at 14.6%. This slowing of the obesity epidemic in youth may be the result of appropriate interventions, whether based in fitness and exercise or nutrition, or both. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the prevalence of obesity among low income youth (males and females) enrolled in a summer urban tennis program compare to nationally reported statistics. Secondarily, the purpose was to measure various physical fitness attributes in the same low income population. METHODS: 265 (n=265) low income youth (age, 12.2 ± 3.9 years) who were enrolled in a six week urban tennis program served as participants in the present study. Height, weight, BMI, WHR, and pro agility time were measured prior to the initiation of the program with the results compared to national averages when data were available. RESULTS: The average BMI was 21.9 ± 8.6, however as a percentage, 17.3% of the participants had a BMI greater than 30. This is 2.7% greater than the national average. The avearge WHR among study participants was 0.87 ± 0.08. There was no national data for comparative purposes. Pro agility times were 7.38 ± 2.7 s, and again no comparative data were available at the national level. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of obesity of those enrolled in the present six week urban tennis program was higher than the national average. Although the average BMI was appropriate, it is obvious that obesity poses a significant problem for low income youth. No comparative data were available for WHR or Pro agility times, however, it is encouraged that further data is collected in these areas for further investigation into the fitness levels of low income youth.