Boys’ high school sports participation and their early adulthood physical activity and obesity in a representative longitudinal study

Citation

Turner, Robert W.; Skinner, Asheley Cockrell; Polimis, Kivan; Perrin, Eliana M.; & Coyne-Beasley, T. (2014). Boys’ high school sports participation and their early adulthood physical activity and obesity in a representative longitudinal study. 2014 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD.

Abstract

Purpose: To understand the protective and risk factors of male high school sports participation (Football (FB) and Basketball (BB)) on early adulthood physical activity levels and obesity prevalence. Methods: Data derives from the in-school student questionnaire, the in-home student interview and parent interviews during multiple waves of Add Health. We examined the association of adolescent male obesity with participation in BB, FB, both, or no sports. The final analysis contained 9,267 males with valid survey weights and activity data for at least one wave. Results: Adolescent boys that reported that no high school sport involvement in Wave I were less likely to engage in traditional sports or cardiovascular activity in subsequent waves. By Wave IV, there were no significant differences in activity levels based on high school sports involvement. Higher physical activity levels in adolescents were consistently associated with lower early adulthood obesity prevalence. The prevalence of obesity increased among those who played BB or no sports in high school regardless of adult activity levels. Conclusion: High school sports participation had different effects on physical activity levels and the prevalence of obesity among young adult males. Our findings suggest that as BB players age and become less active the prevalence of obesity begins to mirror FB players. Further research may determine the reason for BB players decreased activity levels.

URL

https://addhealth.cpc.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/events/20140613_Add_Health_Users_Conference_Abstracts.pdf

Reference Type

Conference proceeding

Book Title

2014 Add Health Users Conference

Author(s)

Turner, Robert W.
Skinner, Asheley Cockrell
Polimis, Kivan
Perrin, Eliana M.
Coyne-Beasley, T.

Year Published

2014

City of Publication

Bethesda, MD

Reference ID

6262