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Opportunities for Student Physical Activity in Elementary Schools: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Frequency and Correlates

Department of Social and Preventive Medicine/Groupe de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Santé; Bureau 3108-1Pavillon 1420 Mont-Royal, University of Montreal, C.P. 6128 succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal (Québec), Canada H3C 3J7; phone: (514) 343-6111 (4957); ta.barnett{at}umontreal.ca

Jennifer O'Loughlin, PhD

Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, and Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Canada

Lise Gauvin, PhD

Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, and the Lea-Roback Research Center on Social Inequalities of Health, Montreal, Canada

Gilles Paradis, MD, MSc, FRCPC

Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, and Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Canada

Jim Hanley, PhD

Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

The objectives of this study were to describe opportunities for student physical activity (PA) in elementary schools and to identify factors in the school environment associated with higher PA opportunity. Self-report questionnaires were completed by school principals and physical education teachers in 277 schools (88% response) in metropolitan Montreal. Correlates of opportunity were identified using ordinal logistic regression. There was substantial variation in PA opportunities between schools. Higher opportunity was associated with role modeling of PA by school principals, their interest in increasing PA through links to the municipality, adequate financial and human resources, access to school sports facilities, adequate space for storing student sports equipment, and suburban location. There is both the need and the potential for intervention to increase PAopportunities in elementary schools. Addressing barriers related to resources and access to sports facilities may help reduce disparities between schools in opportunities for students to engage in PA.

Key Words: physical activity • environment • schools • children • public health • cross-sectional studies

Health Education & Behavior, Vol. 33, No. 2, 215-232 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1090198105277855


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