Citation

Turner L, Chaloupka FJ, Slater SJ. J. Sch. Health 2012; 82(7): 307-310.

Affiliation

Senior Research Specialist, (lindseyt@uic.edu), University of Illinois at Chicago, Institute for Health Research and Policy, 1747 W. Roosevelt Road, M/C 275, Room 558, Chicago, IL 60608. Distinguished Professor, (fjc@uic.edu), Department of Economics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Institute for Health Research and Policy, 1747 W. Roosevelt Road, M/C 275, Room 558, Chicago, IL 60608. Assistant Professor, (sslater@uic.edu), Department of Health Policy & Administration School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Institute for Health Research and Policy, 1747 W. Roosevelt Road, M/C 275, Room 558, Chicago, IL 60608.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, American School Health Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1746-1561.2012.00703.x

PMID

22671946

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is associated with health and academic benefits among children, but many schools do not meet national recommendations. This study examined school-based PA practices in nationally representative samples of public elementary schools, and geographic variations in those practices. METHODS: Mail-back surveys were used to gather data from 578 public elementary schools during the 2006-2007 school year and 680 public elementary schools during the 2009-2010 school year. RESULTS: Nationwide, only 1 in 5 schools met the national recommendation of at least 150 minutes of physical education (PE) per week, although PE was more prevalent in the South. Nearly three-fourths of schools nationwide met recommendations for 20 or more minutes of recess daily, and this was more prevalent in the Midwest but less so in the South. Approximately 40% of schools offered sports and approximately 40% offered other opportunities for PA during the school day. The only practice that increased over time was formal classroom instruction on PA. CONCLUSIONS: There has been little change in elementary school-based PA practices nationwide in recent years. With the upcoming renewal of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, policymakers have an important opportunity to promote increased PA in schools.

Language: en