STUDENT PERCEPTIONS OF FAMILY INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

L.M. Mudd, P.W. Bauer, J.M. Pivarnik.

Departments of Kinesiology, Epidemiology, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

The Michigan Action for Healthy Kids program aims to improve nutrition in youth, increase their physical activity (PA), and educate teachers, students and parents about nutrition, PA, and health. Family attitudes and beliefs about PA are important to the success of this process.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between students' perceptions of family interest in PA and minutes of reported PA both before and after a school-based intervention.

METHODS: Surveys were completed at two high schools (grades 9-12) in early Fall (1131 students; 48.2% male) and late Spring (1013 students; 47.6% male). Students reported total minutes of moderate and/or vigorous PA performed on the previous day. Perception of family interest in PA was coded as “Very”, “Somewhat”, or “Not Very”. Difference in amounts of PA between family interest level was examined at pre- and post-intervention time points.

RESULTS: Total PA minutes averaged (95%CI) 77 (73-80) and 70 (66-73) min for boys, and 59 (56-63) and 59 (56-62) min for girls in Fall and Spring, respectively. Prevalence values for perceived family PA interest were ~31% (Very), ~51% (Somewhat), and ~18% (Not Very). Total PA was highest for students who reported family interest as “Very” in both pre- and post surveys. When averaged over both time periods, minutes of PA associated with family interest levels of "Very", "Somewhat" and "Not Very" were 84 (80-88), 70 (66-73), and 67 (60-74) for boys, and 69 (65-74), 58 (55-61), and 45 (39-51) for girls, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Perceived family interest in PA was associated with significantly more PA; highest levels occurred in students who felt their families were “Very” interested. However, the school-based intervention did not appear to alter the students' participation in PA or their perception of family interest in PA over the course of the school year.

Supported by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan and the USDA.