Logo image
Environmental Correlates of Physical Activity in Mexican American Children at Home
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Environmental Correlates of Physical Activity in Mexican American Children at Home

Thomas L. McKenzie, Barbara Baquero, Noe C. Crespo, Elva M. Arredondo, Nadia R. Campbell and John P. Elder
Journal of physical activity & health, Vol.5(4), pp.579-591
07/01/2008
DOI: 10.1123/jpah.5.4.579
PMCID: PMC3746102
PMID: 18648122
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/3746102View
Open Access

Abstract

Background: Understanding home environments might shed light on factors contributing to reduced physical activity (PA) in children, particularly minorities. Few studies have used microlevel observations to simultaneously assess children's PA and associated conditions in homes. Methods: Trained observers assessed PA and associated physical and social environmental variables in the homes of 139 Mexican American children (69 boys, 70 girls; mean age = 6 years) after school. Results: Children spent most time indoors (77%) and being sedentary (74%). Reduced PA was associated with viewing media, being indoors, and parents being present. Increased PA was associated with prompts for PA and other children being present. PA prompts differed by child gender and location and prompter age status. Conclusions: Children are frequently sedentary at home. Microlevel observations showed PA is associated with potentially modifiable social and physical factors, including spending time outdoors. Studies to determine whether interventions on these correlates can improve children's PA are needed.
Life Sciences & Biomedicine Public, Environmental & Occupational Health Science & Technology

Details

Metrics

Logo image