Associations between extracurricular activity participation and health-related variables in underrepresented children.

BACKGROUND

Children from underrepresented populations exhibit low levels of physical activity (PA), diet quality, and health-related quality of life (QoL), but participation in extracurricular activities may positively impact these health outcomes.

PURPOSE

To examine differences in PA, dietary behavior, and QoL in underrepresented children by extracurricular activity dose (0, 1, ≥2) and type (sports, dance/martial arts, art/music).

METHODS

Children (N = 754; Grades 4-6) completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children, KidsScreen-27 (QoL), and the School Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey and self-reported extracurricular activity participation. One-way MANOVA tests were used in this analysis.

RESULTS

Individuals participating in 1 and ≥ 2 activities ( < 0.001), sport/dance/martial arts ( < 0.001), and art/music ( = 0.029) had higher PA than non-participants. Those participating in ≥2 activities reported higher fruit intake compared to 1 activity and non-participants ( = 0.009;  < 0.001, respectively). Participants with ≥2 activities reported higher parent- and peer-related QoL compared to non-participants ( = 0.001;  = 0.025, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Extracurricular activity participation was positively associated with health behaviors in underrepresented children. Schools may be encouraged to allocate some of their resources to extracurricular activity programing.