Secular Changes in Physical Education Attendance Among U.S. High School Students, 1991-2015

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Physical Education Research

Background:

• School-based physical education (PE) is crucial for adolescent physical activity.
• Understanding trends in PE attendance is vital for public health initiatives.
• National guidelines recommend specific levels of physical activity for adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze changes in U.S. high school physical education attendance from 1991-2015.
• To investigate variations in PE attendance across demographic subgroups.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 13 biennial cycles (1991-2015) of the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).
• Employed logistic and linear regression models to assess trends in PE attendance, daily PE, average PE days/week, and PE frequency.
• Analyzed trends for the overall student sample and specific demographic subgroups.

Main Results:

• Overall PE attendance showed no significant change between 1991 and 2015.
• Daily PE and average PE days/week significantly declined from 1991-1995, then stabilized.
• Significant increases in 3-day/week PE frequency were observed from 1991-1995, followed by stabilization.

Conclusions:

• U.S. schools have maintained recent PE amounts, but overall attendance remains below recommended levels.
• Disparities in PE attendance exist across demographic subgroups.
• Policy interventions are necessary to enhance PE access and promote adolescent physical activity compliance.