Outdoor play & extracurricular activities among lower income, Latino children
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this was to examine the duration, frequency, and attitudes of schoolchildren towards outdoor physical activity and extracurricular activities in a sample of lower income, majority Latino elementary schools. This study also explored the role that parental support plays in whether or not children participate in outdoor physical activity and extracurricular activities. Procedures, Course of Study, Recruitment and Enrollment: This study is an original research study that included primary data collection via focus group interviews with parents and a cross-sectional survey of a sample of 3rd and 4th grade elementary school children in Austin, Texas. The focus groups aimed to provide information regarding: extracurricular activities, school support, outside physical activity, social support, physical activity strategies. A cross-sectional study design was utilized to survey 3rd and 4th graders from Austin public elementary schools. Results: Twenty-one percent of 3rd grade students and 44.8% of 4th grade and 37.7% of Hispanic students reported being participating in outdoor activity on a daily basis. The majority of 3rd and 4th grade students reported enjoying participation in outdoor play and nature related activities (86.3% and 83.9%, respectively). Focus group participants identified cost, age barriers, language and discrimination, and safety as key barriers to outdoor activity and extracurricular activity participation. Conclusion: Less than half of children engage in outdoor activity on a daily basis. However, the majority of students enjoyed playing outdoors in nature. The lack of participation in outdoor activities among students seemed to be correlated with the barriers to participation that were identified by parents (cost, age barriers, language and discrimination, and safety).
Subject Area
Behavioral psychology|Physical education|Public health|Kinesiology
Recommended Citation
Suarez, Nicole, "Outdoor play & extracurricular activities among lower income, Latino children" (2013). Texas Medical Center Dissertations (via ProQuest). AAI1549844.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dissertations/AAI1549844