Low-Income Adolescents’ Physical Activity Levels in Rural Coastal Community: A Gender and Ethnic Comparison.

Abstract

Physical Activity (PA) has been shown to significantly improve the overall health of adolescents. The health dimensions that are positively influenced by a consistent level of PA are multiple and range from body composition, chronic diseases management (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc.), chronic pain, and mental health (depression, anxiety, etc.). The US Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization’s guidelines for PA and recommendations for optimal health established a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA daily for adolescents. This study focused on physical activity data collected in a remote coastal rural county in the Pacific Northwest. The population was composed of 22 low income boys and girls, 12-14 years old in middle school, Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Whites. The 14 days of physical activity data consisted of pedometer steps counts and minutes, 3-Day Physical Activity Recall instrument, and Body Mass Index. The participants accumulated 10 days of step counts during weekdays and four (4) days of steps counts during weekend. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon Rank sum, and t-test. The participants did not meet daily physical activity recommendations. The results of the non-parametric test Wilcoxon Rank (Mann-Whitney) test were consistent with the results from the t-test, when compared by gender Females z scores were significantly different than the Males during the weekends, z= 2.04, P> |z| = 0.48 (p< 0.05). There were no significant differences among ethnic groups nor BMI categories. These results highlight the importance of policy efforts to create opportunities for adolescents in rural community, as well as the need for tailored interventions to meet the needs in isolated rural counties in the pacific northwest to enhance the overall health outcomes of future adults