Failure to meet aerobic fitness standards among urban elementary students

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of aerobic fitness with the elementary school environment and student characteristics among 4th and 5th grade children attending urban public schools in St. Louis, MO, USA. This cross-sectional study was conducted during 2012–2015 and included 2381 children (mean age 10.5 y) who completed the FITNESSGRAM® 20-m Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run. Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) was defined according to FITNESSGRAM® aerobic capacity criteria. Other student-level variables included age, race, National School Lunch Program eligibility, BMI z-score, weight status, and daily pedometer steps. School environment variables included playground features and playground safety, physical education and recess practices, and school census tract data on vacant houses and median household income. Bivariate analyses with sex stratification were used to identify student-level and school-level predictors of failure to achieve the aerobic HFZ; predictors were then included in a multivariable logistic regression model. Failure to meet the aerobic HFZ was observed among 33% of boys and 57% of girls. School environment was not predictive, but higher age and fewer daily steps were: each additional year of age was associated with 41% higher odds of failing to meet the aerobic HFZ among boys and 100% higher odds among girls. Conversely, each additional 1000 daily steps was associated with 15% (boys) and 13% (girls) lower odds of failure. Obesity posed a 60% higher risk of failure to meet HFZ among girls. These results highlight the importance of childhood physical activity opportunities, especially for girls residing in low-resource areas.

Moderators in a physical activity intervention for adolescent girls

“…Youth Risk Behavior Survey ( 8 ) involving high school students, the prevalence of attaining PA for at least 60 minutes on every day of the week was higher among girls who were Non-Hispanic White (18.4%) than those who were Non-Hispanic African American (15.5%) or of Hispanic ethnicity (18.1%). In a recent U.S. study ( 9 ), the odds ratio for eligible to receive free and reduced-price lunches at school (a widely used proxy for socioeconomic status [SES] based on U.S. Income Eligibility and Poverty Guidelines [10]), compared to not eligible, predicting failure to meet aerobic fitness standards approached statistical significance for 4 th and 5 th grade girls, but not boys ( 9 ). In another U.S. study, receipt of free and reduced-price lunches at school was significantly associated with higher odds of obesity among adolescent girls ( 11 ).…”

Comparison of blood pressure across body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness zones determined in accordance with FITNESSGRAM® criterion-referenced standards

“…The incidence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as overweight or obesity, has increased in the last 3 decades among young people [1]. other important risk factors, such as inappropriate cardiorespiratory fitness [2], have also been observed in a high proportion of individuals [3]. The FitnessGram program provides a battery of validated fıeld-based fitness tests and health-related criterion-referenced (cR) standards, which have been used to help teachers track health-related fitness over time and to produce personalized reports for children, parents, and school administrators [4].…”

Analysis of physical factors according to school facility opening of elementary school students

“…The school playground serves as an important space in children's daily life and is a space where students learn to take responsibility for physical, emotional, social and social interaction, emotional sharing, cooperation, empathy with others, and actions. 15) Clark et al 16) studied studied playground function, open sports facilities, aerobic exercise, school environ-ment, and characteristics of elementary school students among 2,381 children attending urban public schools in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.…”