Interactions Between Race/Ethnicity and Gender on Physical Activity Among US High School Students: Youth Risk...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Adolescent physical activity levels are often below recommended guidelines.
• Disparities in physical activity exist across gender and race/ethnicity.
• Specific data on physical activity levels for Asian and multiracial students were previously lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate differences in physical activity by race/ethnicity and gender among US high school students.
• To investigate if female students from Black, Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial backgrounds have lower physical activity.
• To examine if 11th and 12th-grade female students exhibit reduced physical activity.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of the cross-sectional Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data.
• Pooled data from four biennial survey waves (2011–2017) involving 59,397 students.
• Analyzed the number of physically active days per week and categorized activity levels (0, 5+, or 7 days).

Main Results:

• Asian students and 12th graders reported the fewest physically active days.
• Female students were less physically active than male students.
• Significant gender disparities in physical activity were more pronounced in Black and Hispanic students, and in upper grades.

Conclusions:

• Interventions to boost physical activity should prioritize Asian, Black, Hispanic, and upper-grade female students.
• Further research is necessary to understand and address the low physical activity levels in these specific student populations.
• Identifying underlying reasons and effective solutions for physical activity deficits in targeted groups is essential.