Sex-Stratified Trends in Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines, Participating in Sports, and Attending Physical Education Among US Adolescents, Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2009-2019.

Abstract

During the past decade, guidelines for youth aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity remained unchanged. Active People, Healthy NationSM highlighted school and youth strategies (eg,sports and physical education [PE]) to increase physical activity. Sex, grade, and race/ethnicity disparities exist. This study examines sex-specific trends and differences by grade and race/ethnicity for the prevalence of 5 youth physical activity behaviors from 2009 to 2019. The national Youth Risk Behavior Survey assesses adolescents (grades 9-12) meeting the aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and both guidelines (2011-2019) and sports participation and daily PE (2009-2019). Sex-stratified logistic regression assessed trends and 2009 or 2011-2019 differences by grade and racial/ethnic subgroups. Decreases in meeting the aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and both guidelines were observed for nearly all male subgroups by grade and race/ethnicity, whereas female subgroups exhibited declines or no change to low prevalence. Sports and PE participation remained mostly constant; select subgroups showed decreases (ie,Hispanic males [sports]; Black males and ninth-grade females [PE]). Past decade prevalence and patterns suggest that school-based and other strategies for all adolescents and tailored interventions for sex-specific subgroups may be needed to supplement sports and PE in promoting high school youth physical activity.