Adolescent Physical Education Class Participation as a Predictor for Adult Physical Activity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The aim of this study was to determine whether engagement in more physical education (PE) classes during one high school year is associated with change in physical activity (PA) from adolescence to young adulthood.

Methods

Data were from 1774 participants in Waves 2 (high school, 1996) and 4 (young adulthood, 2008) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. The predictor was number of PE classes/week in high school (daily, some, or none). The outcome was change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (?MVPA) over the 12-year period. ?MVPA was based on differences in MVPA scores derived at each wave from responses to a physical activity behavior recall (range, -9 to 9 scale score or -15 to 15 MVPA episodes/week). Multivariable generalized linear models examined the association between PE participation and ?MVPA, adjusting for sociodemographics, weight status, and school clustering.

Results

In high school, 34.7% participated in daily PE, whereas 50.1% participated in none. Participation in more PE classes was associated with greater MVPA in high school (mean MVPAW2none?=?3.11, standard deviation [SD]?=?1.99; mean MVPAW2some?=?3.70, SD?=?2.00; mean MVPAW2daily?=?4.31, SD?=?1.95; p?ConclusionsHigh school PE participation did not prevent declining PA from adolescence to young adulthood.

SUBMITTER: Palakshappa D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4808271 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature