Environmental Correlates of Physical Activity in Mexican American Children at Home
in Journal of Physical Activity and HealthClick name to view affiliation
Search for other papers by Thomas L. McKenzie in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Barbara Baquero in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Noe C. Crespo in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Elva M. Arredondo in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Nadia R. Campbell in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by John P. Elder in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Background:
Understanding home environments might shed light on factors contributing to reduced physical activity (PA) in children, particularly minorities. Few studies have used microlevel observations to simultaneously assess children’s PA and associated conditions in homes.
Methods:
Trained observers assessed PA and associated physical and social environmental variables in the homes of 139 Mexican American children (69 boys, 70 girls; mean age = 6 years) after school.
Results:
Children spent most time indoors (77%) and being sedentary (74%). Reduced PA was associated with viewing media, being indoors, and parents being present. Increased PA was associated with prompts for PA and other children being present. PA prompts differed by child gender and location and prompter age status.
Conclusions:
Children are frequently sedentary at home. Microlevel observations showed PA is associated with potentially modifiable social and physical factors, including spending time outdoors. Studies to determine whether interventions on these correlates can improve children’s PA are needed.
McKenzie is with the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, and Baquero, Crespo, Arredondo, Campbell, and Elder are with the Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182.
© 2023 Human Kinetics