Kids Happiness Boosts School Activity
- how agreeable a child is in their school may influence their physical activity levels, according to a new study.
- researchers from the University of Georgia College of Public Health found students who feel connected and safe at their school are more active.
- "Ther is a trend of declining physical activity in Georgia and across the world among students, and that declining trend is increasing," says Biplav Tiwari, led author of...
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School Climate Linked to Physical activity in Teens
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how agreeable a child is in their school may influence their physical activity levels, according to a new study.
researchers from the University of Georgia College of Public Health found students who feel connected and safe at their school are more active. However, overall activity levels fell for this age range, especially among girls.
“Ther is a trend of declining physical activity in Georgia and across the world among students, and that declining trend is increasing,” says Biplav Tiwari, led author of the study and a doctoral student in epidemiology.
“we’re learning that a positive school environment not only supports academic rigor but also helps promote healthy lifestyle decisions, such as being physically active.”
Previous research has suggested this may also lead to better academic outcomes for students and improved mental well-being both in and out of the classroom.
The Connection Between School Climate and Activity Levels
Increased activity levels improve well-being and can lead to academic success. Using five years of data from the Georgia Student Health Survey, the researchers analyzed over 685,000 responses from middle and high school students (ages 11 through 17) on the following eight aspects of school climate:
- School connectedness
- Peer social support
- Adult social support
- Cultural acceptance
- Physical environment
- School safety
- Peer victimization
- School support environment
The study found that students who reported feeling unsafe, unhappy, or not cared for in their school were also less likely to be physically active.
Of the students who said they felt supported, connected, and safe at their school, one in five increased their activity levels as they aged.
declining Activity Trends & Gender Differences
The research also revealed a concerning trend: overall physical activity levels are decreasing among this age group. This decline is particularly pronounced among girls, raising concerns about long-term health implications.