Abstract
Behaviors such as sedentariness, poor nutritional choices and inadequate sleeping put youth at risk of illnesses. Although health and physical education programs are structured to promote the development of various health and physical skills, they are constantly faced with challenges to their continual existence. As such, issues related to body composition ensue and manifest differently across gender and race/ethnicity. This study aimed at examining the relationships between multiple youth risk behaviors and body composition. In addition, gender and racial/ethnic differences between white and black high school students were examined. Bivariate and multivariate examinations of physical activity, dietary behavior, sleep in relation to Body Mass Index (BMI) percentiles, was followed by a comparison of two data sets of the 2013 YRBS (n= 13, 363) and 2015 YRBS (n= 15, 624). The results revealed an existence of gender differences in relationships between physical activity, dietary behavior, sleep duration and BMI percentiles with significant associations in male high school students but not their female counterparts in both data sets. There were no racial differences in the strength of these relationships between Black or African American and White or Caucasian high school students. These findings corroborate the need for gender based interventions and further analyses based on non-subjective measures of those health-risk behaviors, in order to fully understand the relationships. In addition, family, school and community based interventions to the physical inactivity, poor nutrition and poor sleep habits are warranted, and should encircle strategies from various stakeholders.
Highlights
A number of schools and school districts across the U.S, often contemplate ways of dealing with budgetary challenges especially during difficult economic times [1]
2013 youth risk behavior survey (YRBS) Bivariate analysis using Spearman’s Rho yielded a significant, negative correlation between Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile and physical activity score among high school students (r = -.31, p = .001). This indicates that the higher levels of physical activity among high school students, the lower the BMI percentiles
Higher levels of physical activity were found to be associated with significantly lower BMI percentiles in high school boys and not among high school girls
Summary
A number of schools and school districts across the U.S, often contemplate ways of dealing with budgetary challenges especially during difficult economic times [1]. Health and physical education (PE) programs often become victims of these unforeseeable budgetary shortfalls, leading to their reductions or closures. Physical education should be emphasized as a critical investment in the nation’s youth, monetary decision makers almost often neglect such investment. Many children live in communities and homes, that often lack the capability to provide resources for a healthy living. The economic gap between rich and poor, exacerbates the situation and leading to extreme health disparities between the poor and their wealthy counterparts. Of specific importance though, are the health disparities in physical activity and diet. To the low socio-economic status (SES) as a major factor [3], African American youth often lack the opportunities to access community recreational resources compared to their white counterparts [4]. Similar patterns and trends are often evident in schools with higher percentages of diverse students [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Sports Science and Physical Education
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
