Socioeconomic Inequities in Youth Participation in Physical Activity and Sports

Abstract

Access to opportunities for physical activity and sports, and therefore potential benefits of participation, are distributed inequitably. The aims of this study were to describe and compare youth experiences related to sport and physical activity by socioeconomic factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted of students in 5–12th grades in King County, Washington, USA. Students were asked about physical activity and sports experiences and about demographic factors including family affluence, which was categorized as low, medium, and high. Participants were 1038 youth (50% girls, 58% non-White, and 32% from homes where languages other than English are spoken). Children from low-affluence families reported fewer days/week of physical activity, fewer sports sampled, and lower rates of ever playing sports. Greater proportions of children from low-affluence families reported these barriers to sports: (1) don’t want to get hurt, (2) don’t feel welcome on teams, (3) too expensive, and (4) transportation. Middle school children from high-affluence families had three times higher odds of meeting physical activity recommendations, and high-affluence high schoolers had three times higher odds of ever participating in sports compared to peers from low-affluence families. Socioeconomic status was inversely associated with outcomes related to youth physical activity and sports participation. The disproportionately reported barriers to sports participation are modifiable, and cross-sector solutions can help promote play equity.

The role of family, school and neighbourhood in explaining inequalities in physical activity trajectories between age 9 and 18

“…Participation in organised sport has already been shown to account for both the age decline ( Lunn et al, 2013 ; Lunn & Layte, 2008 ; Zick et al, 2007 ) and gender differences ( Lunn et al, 2013 ; Vilhjalmsson & Kristjansdottir, 2003 ) in levels of PA. Our findings indicate that participation in organised sport also contributes to the social patterning in levels of PA. Recent Irish qualitative research identified barriers to organised sport specific to low education families, including: not feeling welcome, expense and transportation ( Tandon et al, 2021 ).…”

A school-integrated physical exercise program improves motor performance of children and adolescents

“…Even though we could not see a signi cant catch-up development (i.e., a stronger effect in overweight than non-overweight children), this nding still is very encouraging, as it suggests that overweight children can keep up with their non-overweight peers at this age. Overweight children are more likely to originate from socially disadvantaged backgrounds [34,54,70] which itself is associated with lack of exercise [56, 57,64]. Furthermore, overweight children are more likely to be reluctant to engage in sports activities, because of shame or the fear of being bullied [22,25,50].…”

A school-integrated physical exercise program improves motor performance of children and adolescents

“…Even though we could not see a signi cant catch-up development (i.e., a stronger effect in overweight than non-overweight children), this nding still is very encouraging, as it suggests that overweight children can keep up with their non-overweight peers at this age. Overweight children are more likely to originate from socially disadvantaged backgrounds [65-67] which itself is associated with lack of exercise [68][69][70]. Furthermore, overweight children are more likely to be reluctant to engage in sports activities, because of shame or the fear of being bullied [71][72][73].…”