Examining the Role of Churches in Adolescent Girls’ Physical Activity

Abstract

Background:In adults, associations between church attendance and positive health behaviors exist; however, similar evidence among children and youth is lacking. The purposes of this investigation were to examine the associations between physical activity (PA) and church attendance, PA and use of church as a PA facility, and PA and proximity to churches among those who use church as a PA facility (while addressing racial and geographical differences). Methods: High school girls (N = 915, age = 17.7 ± 0.6 years, 56% African American) completed the 3-Day Physical Activity Recall and surveys including demographics and use of PA facilities. Geographic Information Systems data were used to spatially examine the number of churches within a 0.75-mile street network buffer around girls' homes. Associations were examined using mixed model analyses controlling for demographic factors. Results: For the overall sample, total METs (56 versus 52) and proportion of girls meeting PA guidelines (62% vs. 52%) were significantly higher in church attendees versus nonattendees. Among participants who used facilities, having more churches close to home was associated with more PA. Conclusions: Church attendance and use are correlates of physical activity that should be further explored and addressed in future intervention research with adolescent girls.

Understanding contextual barriers, supports, and opportunities for physical activity among Mexican-origin children in Texas border colonias: A descriptive study

“…Given the strong religious heritage of the Mexican culture,[99,100] churches could potentially support physical activity of colonias residents. In addition, previously reported relationships between church facilities and physical activity for adolescents, including rural and minority youth, [69] support future research aimed at examining the current role and future potential of churches within colonias communities in regards to policies and programming related with physical activity.…”

“…In these assessments, several environmental factors consistently supportive of physical activity and health in previous research were reported. These included paved streets, streets deemed good for walking or running,[68] playgrounds (church or school) near the colonias ,[69,70] and supportive social norms of play via active children in the neighborhood (children playing with balls in the street and children playing games in neighborhood). [71] These assessments also revealed several environmental traits unsupportive of physical activity within colonias households and neighborhoods that are consistent with previous research and often more salient for low-income children.…”

“…[69,70,96] However, a limited number of parks are documented within or near the colonias . With 42% of children reporting a barrier of “no place like a park,” and research supporting the relationship between parks and playgrounds with physical activity for children, physical activity programming for children living near parks and future policies for colonias -area planning to include more park spaces and/or playgrounds should be considered.…”

Do physical activity facilities near schools affect physical activity in high school girls?

“…These results corroborate our previous investigation that the presence of churches around schools, not just homes, is related to physical activity. When racial/ethnic and rural vs. urban 12 th grade girls were examined separately, Pfeiffer et al (In press) found that African-American, white, and rural girls who had more churches within a 0.75-mile buffer of their home were significantly more likely to report 2+ blocks of leisure-time MVPA per day, while rural girls with more churches near home were significantly more likely to report higher total METs per day. Data in children and adolescents are limited, but in adults (specifically African American women), PA programs at church were a significant correlate of activity in a cross-sectional investigation (Bopp et al, 2007).…”

Relation Between Physical Activities and Built Environment: A Literature Review

“…Social and cultural destinations are the places where people can meet and share interest, including mosques, temples, churches, cafes and bars. Pfeiffer et al (2011) investigate the association of physical activity and church availability, church attendance, and find a positive correlation between physical activity and the proximity to and use of churches. Shopping and retail facilities are the places where daily needs can be met, such as food retails and shopping centers.…”