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Identifying Opportunities to Promote Physical Activity in a Diverse Low-Income Population: A Mixed-Method Study at a Boys & Girls Club Site

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Abstract

Background

Prevalence and consequences of obesity and sedentary lifestyle are well-documented public health concerns for youth in the United State of America (USA) that disproportionally affect children from low income and minority families.

Objective

This mixed-method study focused on estimating levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior and prevalence of overweight and obesity among the child members served in one Boys & Girls Club in the Midwest USA. We aimed to better understand opportunities for improving children’s engagement in physical activity through focus groups with members, staff, and parents/caregivers of members.

Method

Social cognitive learning theory, the ecological model of health behavior, and community based participatory research principles provided the study framework. Members completed assessments of physical activity, sedentary activity, height, and weight. Focus groups with members, staff, and parents/caregivers identified barriers, facilitators, and opportunities for promoting physical activity.

Results

Nearly 50% of members were overweight or obese. Most (87%) participants reported at least 60 min physical activity every day across the 3-day recall. Fewer than half (41%) reported 2 h or less of sedentary screen time every day across the 3 day recall. Focus group themes identified opportunities for addressing needs associated with health disparities in physical activity and pediatric obesity.

Conclusions

Findings suggest stakeholder interest in physical activity promotion through afterschool programs. We discuss study implications regarding needs specific to individuals from diverse, low-income households that may not be adequately addressed with existing empirically-supported treatments and opportunities to address health disparities in physical activity and pediatric obesity through afterschool programs.

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Abbreviations

BGCA:

Boys & Girls Club of America

BGCR:

Boys & Girls Club of Rochester, Minnesota

BMI:

Body Mass Index

CBPR:

Community-based participatory research

RHCP:

Rochester Healthy Community Partnership

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by CTSA Grant Number UL1 TR000135 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of NIH. We appreciate the contributions of all participants in this study, the support of Boys & Girls Club Rochester staff and board, and support from the broader membership of the Rochester Healthy Community Partnership. We are grateful to Marcelo Hanza and Tabitha Brockman for study coordination, Gladys Asiedu and Leslie Sim for assistance with qualitative analysis, Jane Rosenman for assistance with data collection, and Jennifer Weis for guidance and support for navigating the logistics of conducting research in academic-community partnership.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Bridget K. Biggs, Carrie Bronars, Jocelyn Lebow, Jennifer L. Ridgeway, Christi A. Patten, Matthew M. Clark, Irene G. Sia & Mark L. Wieland

  2. Boys & Girls Club Rochester, Minnesota, Rochester, USA

    Ellen Tolleson, Jodi Millerbernd, Kathleen Slowiak & Molly Olson

  3. Winona State University in Rochester, Rochester, USA

    Sonja J. Meiers

Authors
  1. Bridget K. Biggs
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  2. Ellen Tolleson
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  3. Jodi Millerbernd
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  4. Carrie Bronars
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  6. Kathleen Slowiak
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  7. Molly Olson
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  8. Jocelyn Lebow
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  9. Jennifer L. Ridgeway
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Correspondence to Bridget K. Biggs.

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Biggs, B.K., Tolleson, E., Millerbernd, J. et al. Identifying Opportunities to Promote Physical Activity in a Diverse Low-Income Population: A Mixed-Method Study at a Boys & Girls Club Site. Child Youth Care Forum 49, 171–200 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-019-09521-9

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