TY - JOUR
T1 - Patterns of physical activity among American Indian children
T2 - An assessment of barriers and support
AU - Thompson, Janice L.
AU - Davis, Sally M.
AU - Gittelsohn, Joel
AU - Going, Scott
AU - Becenti, Alberta
AU - Metcalfe, Lauve
AU - Stone, Elaine
AU - Harnack, Lisa
AU - Ring, Kim
N1 - Funding Information:
Supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (HL-50867, HL-50905, HL-50885, HL-50907, and HL-50869).
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - Estimates indicate that 10% to 50% of American Indian and non-Indian children in the U.S. are obese, defined as a body mass index ≥ 95th percentile of the NHANES II reference data. Pathways is a two-phase, multi-site study to develop and test a school-based obesity prevention program in American Indian schoolchildren in grades three through five. During Phase I feasibility prior to initiation of the Pathways trial, data were collected related to physical activity patterns, and the supports of, and barriers to, physical activity. Nine schools from communities representing six different tribal groups participated in this study. Multiple measures were used for data collection including direct observation, paired child interviews, and in-depth interviews and focus groups with adults. Students completed the self-administered Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors (KAB) survey, and a Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ). Barriers to physical activity at schools included a lack of facilities, equipment, and trained staff persons for PE. Adults were not consistently active with their children, but they were highly supportive of their children's activity level. Children reported a strong enjoyment of physical activity and strong peer support to be physically active. Weather conditions, safety concerns, and homework/chores were common barriers to physical activity reported by children and adult caregivers. The informa tion was used to design culturally and age-appropriate, practical interventions including the five physical activity programs for schoolchildren in the Pathways study.
AB - Estimates indicate that 10% to 50% of American Indian and non-Indian children in the U.S. are obese, defined as a body mass index ≥ 95th percentile of the NHANES II reference data. Pathways is a two-phase, multi-site study to develop and test a school-based obesity prevention program in American Indian schoolchildren in grades three through five. During Phase I feasibility prior to initiation of the Pathways trial, data were collected related to physical activity patterns, and the supports of, and barriers to, physical activity. Nine schools from communities representing six different tribal groups participated in this study. Multiple measures were used for data collection including direct observation, paired child interviews, and in-depth interviews and focus groups with adults. Students completed the self-administered Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors (KAB) survey, and a Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ). Barriers to physical activity at schools included a lack of facilities, equipment, and trained staff persons for PE. Adults were not consistently active with their children, but they were highly supportive of their children's activity level. Children reported a strong enjoyment of physical activity and strong peer support to be physically active. Weather conditions, safety concerns, and homework/chores were common barriers to physical activity reported by children and adult caregivers. The informa tion was used to design culturally and age-appropriate, practical interventions including the five physical activity programs for schoolchildren in the Pathways study.
KW - American Indian
KW - Formative assessment
KW - Obesity prevention
KW - Physical activity
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U2 - 10.1023/A:1012507323784
DO - 10.1023/A:1012507323784
M3 - Article
C2 - 11759094
AN - SCOPUS:0035650980
SN - 0094-5145
VL - 26
SP - 423
EP - 445
JO - Journal of Community Health
JF - Journal of Community Health
IS - 6
ER -