Predictors Of Sports Participation Of Youth With Obesity In A Large Midwestern Metropolitan Area

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine predictors of sports participation of youth with obesity in a large Midwestern metropolitan area. METHODS: Data from 71 months of clinical visits to a pediatric weight management program were extracted from electronic medical records. Entries were refined to include only school-aged children, ages 6-18 years old. Multiple encounters per subject were included if the encounters occurred at different ages. Data were analyzed to determine trends in sports participation by age, gender, health insurance source (INS) and percent body fat (PBF). RESULTS: Data were obtained from 7100 patient encounters (4009 females, 3091 males). Overall, 67.1% of patients did not participate in sports. Gender, age, INS and PBF were all predictors of participation. Males are more likely to play sports than females (35.4% vs. 31.0%, p = 0.0014). Patients with private health insurance are more likely to participate than those with government-subsidized insurance (43.13% vs. 27.7%, p < 0.0001). Age is also a predictor, with sports participation dropping below 30% before age 7 years and after age 14 years (p < 0.0001). Approximately 30-40% of patients ages 7-14 years indicated they participated in sports. Patients with higher PBF were less likely to play sports (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Sports participation in this population falls below previously reported national averages for school-aged children. The majority of school-aged youth with obesity in this metropolitan area do not participate in any structured sports activities. Gender, age, INS and PBF are predictors of sports participation in obese youth.