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Patterns of Physical Activity Among American Indian Children: An Assessment of Barriers and Support

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Abstract

Estimates indicate that 10% to 50% of American Indian and non-Indian children in the U.S. are obese, defined as a body mass index ≥ 95th percentile of the NHANES II reference data. Pathways is a two-phase, multi-site study to develop and test a school-based obesity prevention program in American Indian schoolchildren in grades three through five. During Phase I feasibility prior to initiation of the Pathways trial, data were collected related to physical activity patterns, and the supports of, and barriers to, physical activity. Nine schools from communities representing six different tribal groups participated in this study. Multiple measures were used for data collection including direct observation, paired child interviews, and in-depth interviews and focus groups with adults. Students completed the self-administered Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors (KAB) survey, and a Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ). Barriers to physical activity at schools included a lack of facilities, equipment, and trained staff persons for PE. Adults were not consistently active with their children, but they were highly supportive of their children's activity level. Children reported a strong enjoyment of physical activity and strong peer support to be physically active. Weather conditions, safety concerns, and homework/chores were common barriers to physical activity reported by children and adult caregivers. The information was used to design culturally and age-appropriate, practical interventions including the five physical activity programs for schoolchildren in the Pathways study.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, 2701 Frontier NE, Suite 251, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-5311

    Janice L. Thompson

  2. Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM

    Sally M. Davis

  3. Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

    Joel Gittelsohn

  4. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

    Scott Going & Lauve Metcalfe

  5. Department of Community and Preventive Health, Crownpoint Healthcare Facility, Indian Health Service, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program, Crownpoint, NM

    Alberta Becenti

  6. Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD

    Elaine Stone

  7. School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

    Lisa Harnack

  8. Department of Biostatistics, Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

    Kim Ring

Authors
  1. Janice L. Thompson
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  2. Sally M. Davis
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  3. Joel Gittelsohn
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  4. Scott Going
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  5. Alberta Becenti
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  6. Lauve Metcalfe
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  7. Elaine Stone
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  8. Lisa Harnack
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  9. Kim Ring
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Correspondence to Janice L. Thompson.

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Thompson, J.L., Davis, S.M., Gittelsohn, J. et al. Patterns of Physical Activity Among American Indian Children: An Assessment of Barriers and Support. Journal of Community Health 26, 423–445 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012507323784

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