Disparities in Fitness and Physical Activity Among Children

• Published in: Wisconsin medical journal (Madison, Wis.) Vol. 115; no. 5; pp. 245 - 250
• Main Authors: Bowser, John, Martinez-Donate, Ana P, Carrel, Aaron, Allen, David B, Moberg, D Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-11-2016
• Subjects: Child; Continental Population Groups; Exercise; Exercise Test; Female; Health Status Disparities; Humans; Male; Physical Fitness; Self Report; Wisconsin
• ISSN: 1098-1861

Adequate physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness aid in the prevention of
type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Large sociodemographic/economic disparities exist for
these conditions, which develop over time beginning in childhood. This paper examines disparities
in both activity and fitness levels among children and adolescents in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Partnership for Childhood Fitness collected cardiorespiratory fitness
and physical activity data on 3,798 6th grade students in 37 schools in fall 2011. Fitness data
were collected via testing in physical education classes. Activity data were collected via self-report,
1-day activity logs administered during school. Using hierarchical linear models, disparities
in fitness and physical activity by race/ethnicity and school-level characteristics were investigated.
Widespread race and ethnic disparities exist in aerobic fitness, as well as more limited
disparities in physical activity levels. In addition, students from schools with higher overall socioeconomic
status (SES) were more active and had higher fitness levels than those from schools
with overall lower SES levels.
Among Wisconsin adolescents, race/ethnicity and school-level SES contribute to
significant differences in both fitness and physical activity levels. Modifiable elements of the
school environment to increase physical activity, and potentially fitness, may provide opportunities
to reduce health disparities among children, contributing to improved long-term health outcomes
among Wisconsin adults.