The Roles of Community Resources and Participation in Organized Activities to Promote Physical Activity Among Low-Income Children

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is important for children’s physical and psychological health. Public health guidelines recommended that school-aged children should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. However, more than half of children do not meet these guidelines, and the problem worsens with higher levels of physical inactivity for low-income children. Previous studies have shown that community resources (CRs) and organized activities (OAs) can separately enhance PA among low-income children. However, little research has examined how the combination of these factors can influence PA. This study examines how CRs and participation in OAs are interrelated in affecting PA among low-income children. Research questions are: 1) To what extent does participation in OAs mediate the relationship between CRs and PA among low-income children? 2) Is there a conditional association between participation in OAs and PA among low-income children based on the presence of CRs? We used data from the 2019 National Survey of Children's Health to study how physical environments and social factors such as CRs and participation in OAs (sports, clubs, and lessons) impact PA for low-income children. We conducted descriptive analysis to identify disparities in PA. Mediation analysis was performed using multivariate logistic regression analysis, GSEM analysis and bootstrapping technique to determine the indirect effect of participation in OAs. For moderation analysis, we examined the interaction term and used the AIC method. Low-income children have limited access to CRs and lower participation in OAs. They are also more likely to be physically inactive and less regularly involved in PA. We found that participation in OAs has a mediating effect when low-income children have sidewalks, recreation/community centers or Boys & Girls Clubs, and neighborhood support to increase their PA. Additionally, parks/playgrounds, recreation/community centers or Boys & Girls Clubs and neighborhood support can interact with low-income children's participation in sports and lessons. This study provides insights into the interrelationships between CRs and participation in OAs for promoting low-income children’s PA. In conclusion, improving access to physical facilities and fostering neighborhood support can encourage participation in OAs, ultimately promoting health and well-being in low-income communities.