Sociodemographic influences on youth sport participation and physical activity among children living within concentrated Hispanic/Latino rural communities

Bibliographic Data

ID22071284
AuthorsMary J Von Seggern (0000-0003-3895-1584, University of Nebraska Medical Center, corresponding author), Ann E Rogers (0000-0003-4822-580X, University of Nebraska Medical Center), Michaela A Schenkelberg (0000-0002-0354-8122, University of Nebraska at Omaha), Debra Kellstedt (0000-0002-3737-8627, Texas A&M University), Gregory J Welk (0000-0001-7132-9725, Iowa State University), Robin High (0000-0002-9418-9195, University of Nebraska Medical Center), David A Dzewaltowski (0000-0002-6592-1041, University of Nebraska Medical Center)
Year2024
Volume12
Pages1345635-1345635
Publication date2024-02-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2024.1345635
PMID38450148
OpenAlexW4391995898
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited85

Introduction Lack of physical activity (PA) among children living in rural communities is a documented public health problem. Although studies have examined community conditions defined by a rural–urban dichotomy, few have investigated rural community conditions with a concentration of Hispanic/Latino people. This cross-sectional study examined sociodemographic characteristics associated with youth sport (YS) participation and daily PA among children living within concentrated Hispanic/Latino rural U.S. Midwest communities. Methods During spring 2022, 97% of 3rd–6th grade children ( n = 281, aged approximately 8–12 years) attending school in rural Midwestern communities ( n = 2) with >50% concentration of Hispanic students participated in the Wellscapes Project, a community randomized trial. Participants completed the Youth Activity Profile and supplemental National Survey of Children’s Health questions assessing PA behaviors and YS participation. Caregivers of a subsample of children ( n = 215; males, n = 93; females, n = 122) consented to pair their child’s survey results with school enrollment records (e.g., free/reduced lunch status and race and ethnicity). Mixed models with community as a random effect examined main and interaction effects of grade, sex, ethnoracial status, and family income on YS participation and these sociodemographic characteristics and YS participation on daily moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Results Approximately half of children participated in YS. Non-Hispanic White children ( n = 82) were over five times more likely to participate in YS than Hispanic peers ( n = 133) (OR = 5.54, 95% CI = 2.64–11.61, p < 0.001). YS participants accumulated 8.3 ± 2.3 more minutes of daily MVPA than non-participants ( p < 0.001). Sixth graders, females, and Hispanic children reported lower daily MVPA than comparison groups ( p < 0.05). Significant interaction effects on daily MVPA between grade and ethnoracial status ( F (3, 204) = 3.04, p = 0.030) were also found. Discussion Disparities in sport participation and PA outcomes based on sociodemographic characteristics exist among children living in ethnoracially diverse rural communities. Strategies to promote YS participation, including community structural changes, may help reduce PA disparities. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers, public health professionals, and community members to address YS participation barriers, not limited to cost, while considering other PA-promotion efforts to improve child population health

Ethnic group · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Public health · Rural area · Demography · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Physical Activity and Health · Psychology · Youth Development and Social Support · Gerontology

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