Barr–Anderson DJ, et al. – Researchers desired to know whether the relationship between the change in individual, interpersonal, and environmental factors and the change in physical activity (PA) is modified by race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status (SES). They observed that the factors that influence changes in youth PA vary by race/ethnicity but not SES. These discoveries reinforce the complex nature of addressing PA behavior in diverse samples and further support the need for culturally appropriate interventions to promote PA in youth.

Methods

• This examination followed six hundred forty three youths and their parents from suburban and rural South Carolina participating in the Transitions and Activity Changes in Kids (TRACK) Study in 2008–2009 and 2010–2011.
• They evaluated total PA in youth utilizing accelerometry and categorized youth and parent survey data into blocks based on the socioecological model.
• Multivariate regression growth curve models assessed whether the relationship between change in independent variables and change in PA was modified by race/ethnicity or SES.

Results

• According to the findings obtained, PA declined from 5th to 7th grade among all racial/ethnic and SES groups.
• It was observed in the findings that the relationship between the range of variables and change in PA were modified by race/ethnicity but not SES.
• Findings revealed that blacks did not share any common predictors of change in PA with whites or Hispanics.
• Child-reported number of active friends was related to total PA, and enjoyment of PA was correlated with change in PA among both whites and Hispanics.
• It was noted that significant interactions by time varied by racial/ethnic group.