The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42570

Lorraine Killion¹, Augusto Rodriguez¹, Jennifer Houser¹, Brian Sekula, PhD², and Norma Olvera, PhD². (1) Health & Human Performance Department, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, Room 112, Houston, TX 77204-6321, (2) Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, 104 Garrison Gymnasium, Houston, TX 77204-6321

PURPOSE: To assess socio-environmental correlates for physical activity in Anglo and Hispanic children during the middle school transition. METHODS: The sample consisted of 97 Hispanic (48 girls, 49 boys) and 96 Anglo children (53 girls, 43 boys) ranging in age from 9-12 years (M=11.23, SD=.81). The instrument to assess socio-environmental influences on physical activity consisted of 25 items which assessed neighborhood safety, parental and peer support. Students were asked to respond how true the statements were for them with 0=not at all, 1=somewhat true, 2=true, and 3=I don’t know. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated a significant main effect for ethnicity F(1,1)=8.71, p=.004, grade F(1,1)=10.58, p=.001, and a significant interaction for ethnicity and grade F(1,1)=5.89, p=.016 on environmental variables. These findings showed that Hispanic children and 5th graders have less equipment and facilities for outdoor play. In addition to the main effects for ethnicity and grade, a significant interaction was found indicating a greater change in supportive environment from 5th to 6th grade in Hispanic children. Although not statistically significant, a trend was found that demonstrated Hispanic children had less parental support for physical activity than the Anglo children F(1,1)=3.57, p=.06. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study indicate differences in environmental support for physical activity in Anglo and Hispanic children. Future studies should assess the role of SES and acculturation in explaining these differences in environment.

Learning Objectives: Objctives

• Participants will be able to recognize the socio-environmental factors associated with physical activity.
• Participants will be able to identify methods to assess socio-environmental factors associated with physical activity.
• Participants will become familiar with ethnic differences in physical activity among Hispanic and Anglo children.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Environmental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.