Dataset Information

A cross-sectional examination of the association between co-ed and gender-specific school intramural programs and intramural participation among a sample of Canadian secondary school students.

ABSTRACT: Intramurals are an important part of the physical activity offerings in secondary schools; however, it is not well understood how co-ed and gender-specific intramural programs impact intramural participation among male and female students. Therefore, the objective of this research was to examine if the number of co-ed, male-only, and female-only intramurals offered at a school was associated with student participation in intramurals. A large sample of Canadian secondary school students (N = 59,370) completed the COMPASS survey in 2017-2018. School staff reported the number of co-ed, male-only, and female-only intramurals offered at each school. Students reported whether they participated in school intramurals. Hierarchical models were used to assess associations. Intramural participation was marginally higher among male students (36%) than female students (32%; p < 0.0001). Female students attending schools that offered female-only intramurals were 17% (OR 1.17 [95% CI: 1.05-1.30]) more likely to participate. The number of co-ed and male-only intramurals offered were not significantly associated with student participation. We found a positive association between offering female-only intramurals and female intramural participation, highlighting the importance of these programs for female students. Offering female-only intramurals may be a way for schools to improve participation and physical activity levels of female students. More research is needed on the impact of specific sports or activities on male and female student participation.

SUBMITTER: Williams GC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7680699 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A cross-sectional examination of the association between co-ed and gender-specific school intramural programs and intramural participation among a sample of Canadian secondary school students.

Williams Gillian C GC Burns Kathleen E KE Battista Kate K de Groh Margaret M Jiang Ying Y Leatherdale Scott T ST

Preventive medicine reports 20201026

Intramurals are an important part of the physical activity offerings in secondary schools; however, it is not well understood how co-ed and gender-specific intramural programs impact intramural participation among male and female students. Therefore, the objective of this research was to examine if the number of co-ed, male-only, and female-only intramurals offered at a school was associated with student participation in intramurals. A large sample of Canadian secondary school students (N = 59,3 ...[more]

PMID: 33251096

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Project description:BackgroundSchool-based meal programs can promote healthy dietary intake in youth. However, limited data exist regarding the impact of income-targeted school meal programs across countries, particularly among food-insecure youth.ObjectivesWe examined self-reported awareness of and participation in free school meal programs, and associations with dietary intake in youth from 6 countries with differing national school meal policies.MethodsData were collected through the 2019 International Food Policy Study Youth Survey, a cross-sectional survey of 10,565 youth aged 10-17 y from Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Regression models examined: 1) country differences in awareness of and participation in breakfast and lunch programs; and 2) associations between lunch program participation and intake of fruit and vegetables, and "less healthy" foods during the previous school lunch day.ResultsAwareness of and participation in free breakfast and lunch programs varied across countries. Approximately half of USA and Chilean students participated in school lunch programs-the countries with the most comprehensive national policies-compared with one-fifth of students in the United Kingdom, and ∼5% in Australia, Canada, and Mexico (P < 0.001 for all contrasts). In the United States and Chile, more than two-thirds of youth with the highest level of food insecurity participated in lunch programs, compared with 45% in the United Kingdom, 27% in Canada, and ≤20% in Australia and Mexico. In all countries, youth reporting school lunch program participation were more likely to report fruit and vegetable intake during their previous school lunch (P < 0.001), and higher intake of "less healthy" food in all countries except the United States and Chile.ConclusionsMore comprehensive national policies were associated with greater participation in school meal programs, particularly among youth at greatest risk of food insecurity, as well as healthier dietary intake from school lunches.

Project description:Background Schools play an important role in providing access to physical activity opportunities for children. There are common economic and gender disparities in physical activity and health-related fitness among children, which may inform a school’s programming needs. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding about gender, school-level socioeconomic status, and children’s cardiorespiratory fitness. Methods This observational study used 2017–2018 school year data from schools in the Dallas Metropolitan area participating in the Healthy Zone School (HZS) program. Three data sources were integrated: 1) FitnessGram® data, 2) school-level data from the Texas Education Agency, and 3) HZS survey data. Being in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) for aerobic capacity was the dependent variable, and gender and the percentage of economically disadvantaged students (at the school-level) were key independent variables. Mixed-effects logistic regression models examined associations between dependent and independent variables. Final models were adjusted for age and type of aerobic test. Results There were 67 schools and 15,052 students included in the analysis. When testing main effects, girls had lower odds for being in the HFZ for aerobic capacity than boys (OR?=?0.54, CI?=?0.47–0.62). Additionally, having a greater percentage of students who were economically disadvantaged was associated with lower odds for being in the HFZ for aerobic capacity (0.98, CI?=?0.98–0.99). There was a significant interaction between gender and the percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Results indicated girls had even lower odds (than boys) for being in the HFZ in schools with 90% economically disadvantaged students (OR?=?0.44, CI?=?0.35–0.55) versus in schools with 15% economically disadvantage students (OR?=?0.62, CI?=?0.51–0.76). Conclusions Results suggest girls in Healthy Zone Schools have lower odds to meet aerobic capacity fitness standards than boys. Additionally, boys and girls in schools serving a greater percentage of economically disadvantaged students have lower odds to meet aerobic capacity fitness standards. Last, girls have even lower odds of meeting HFZ standard when attending a school serving a greater percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Thus, schools need to provide more programs for girls targeting aerobic physical activity. This is especially important for schools serving a high percentage of low-income students.

Dataset Information

A cross-sectional examination of the association between co-ed and gender-specific school intramural programs and intramural participation among a sample of Canadian secondary school students.

Publications

A cross-sectional examination of the association between co-ed and gender-specific school intramural programs and intramural participation among a sample of Canadian secondary school students.

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