How Active Are Teens during Their Out-of-School Time?
The View from Chicago
This issue brief explores levels of physical activity among high school students in Chicago Public Schools, including participation in sports, informal exercise, and other activities. Latent class analysis was used to classify students’ levels of physical activity, revealing low levels of activity among most high school students. Multilevel regression analyses were then used to identify individual and community characteristics associated with the different levels of physical activity. By identifying key factors linked with physical activity levels, the Chapin Hall study provides information that can help in designing programs and activities that encourage participation by inactive and less active youth—thus improving their chances of enjoying good health throughout adolescence and into adulthood.
