Physical Activity Opportunities Associated With Fitness and Weight Status Among Adolescents in Low-Income Communities

A study in the November 2009 Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine has good news about policy’s ability to boost the health of low-income children and youth. It finds that environment is one potentially changeable factor in the fight against obesity.

The study sought to identify physical activity opportunities most strongly associated with student health (cardiorespiratory fitness and weight status) among adolescents in low-income communities and to determine if associations were different in middle and high schools. Almost half of the students from these low-income communities were overweight or obese, and over half did not meet recommended physical fitness standards.

As the proportion of students who reported liking school physical education classes, walking to school, and spending 20 minutes or more in exercise during physical education classes increased from 0% to 100%, physical fitness improved. Each additional day that students reported being active on school grounds outside school was associated with decreased time on a mile run. Active transport to school was associated with poorer weight status and greater odds of purchasing food while in transit. These findings point to potential policy opportunities to improve student health in low-income communities.