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Family asthma management and physical activity among urban children
Christina D'Angelo1, Elizabeth McQuaid1, Elissa Jelalian2
1Bradley-Hasbro Children's Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital.
Insights
Asthma management behaviors impact physical activity in urban youth. Tailored interventions addressing medication adherence and provider collaboration are needed, especially for diverse racial/ethnic groups.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Behavioral Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Urban, low-income, and minority children with asthma face worse outcomes and higher obesity rates.
- Physical activity influences both asthma and obesity, but factors affecting it in vulnerable youth are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between asthma management behaviors and physical activity in a diverse sample of urban youth with asthma.
- To explore these associations across different racial/ethnic and weight status groups.
Main Methods:
- 147 children with asthma (mean age 8.3) and their families completed the Family Asthma Management System Scale (FAMSS).
- Physical activity was objectively measured using accelerometers.
- Associations between FAMSS scores and physical activity were analyzed, stratified by race/ethnicity and weight status.
Main Results:
- Higher medication adherence and healthcare provider collaboration were linked to meeting physical activity guidelines.
- Better environmental control correlated with lower physical activity, while better medication adherence correlated with higher physical activity.
- Significant differences in these associations were observed based on race/ethnicity.
Conclusions:
- Asthma management behaviors are associated with physical activity levels in urban youth.
- Interventions should consider tailoring strategies to address multiple health behaviors, particularly for diverse racial/ethnic populations.
- Addressing disparities in asthma and physical activity requires a multifaceted approach.
Introduction:
Urban, low-income, and Black and Latino children with asthma experience higher morbidity and poorer outcomes compared to their suburban, higher-income, and non-Latino White counterparts. This risk is further compounded by higher rates of co-occurring overweight or obesity. Physical activity contributes to both asthma and overweight/obesity status, however, little is known about factors that may promote/limit physical activity among youth from low-income, urban, and racial/ethnic backgrounds. This study evaluates associations between asthma management behaviors and physical activity among a sample of racially/ethnically diverse youth with asthma of both healthy weight and overweight/obesity status.
Method:
147 children with asthma (Mage = 8.3; 50% overweight/obese status, 58% Hispanic/Latino, and 26% Black) and their families completed the Family Asthma Management System Scale (FAMSS; McQuaid et al., 2005) between 2013 and 2015. Physical activity was measured with waist-worn accelerometers. Differences in FAMSS scores by physical activity levels and associations between FAMSS scores and physical activity for the total sample and by race/ethnicity and weight status were evaluated.
Results:
Children who met recommended physical activity guidelines had higher FAMSS "medication adherence", t(89) = -2.04, p < .05, and "collaboration with health care provider", t(89) = -2.09, p < .05. More optimal "environmental control" related to lower levels of physical activity (β = -.21, p < .05) while more optimal "medication adherence" was associated with higher levels of physical activity (β = .21, p < .05). Differences in these associations were identified by race/ethnicity, though not weight status.
Conclusions:
Asthma management behaviors were associated with physical activity, with notable differences by race/ethnicity. Tailored interventions simultaneously addressing multiple health behaviors may be warranted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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