School and community physical activity characteristics and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among Chinese school-aged children: A multilevel path model analysis

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between school and community physical activity (PA) characteristics and levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among Chinese school children.

Methods

Data were obtained from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China—The Youth Study project. Participants were 80,928 school children (Grades 4–12; 39,747 boys, 41,181 girls; mean age = 13 years) and 935 physical education (PE) teachers who completed a study survey. Independent variables included both school-related factors (school-level PA support, availability of and access to PA facilities, and the duration of school PE classes) and community-related factors (the frequency of sports events, sports training opportunities, availability of sports clubs and organizations, and access to PA facilities). The dependent variable was the children's self-reported participation in MVPA. The data were analyzed, in 2017, via multilevel modeling.

Results

PA support from school administrators was the only school-level factor significantly related to children's participation in MVPA. Children's perceptions of the frequency of community-sponsored sports events, availability of sports clubs and organizations, and convenient access to PA facilities were associated with a high level of MVPA participation. In regard to residency in urban and rural areas, children attending urban schools who perceived high availability of PA facilities were associated with a low level of participation in MVPA.

Conclusion

School support for PA and community PA resources are associated with MVPA among Chinese school children. School PA facilities appear underutilized among urban schools as evidenced by low levels of MVPA among school children.