ATLANTA–(HISPANIC PR WIRE)– Sept. 15, 2003–Children in low-income families have far fewer opportunities to participate in organized physical activity than their peers with parents in higher income brackets, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Youth Media Campaign Longitudinal Survey being released Thursday, Aug. 21, in the Morbidity and Morality Weekly Report (MMWR).

The CDC conducted the telephone survey of children ages 9 to 13 and their parents. The survey sought information about how much time children participated in organized and free-time physical activity over a seven-day period. Parents also were asked about their perceptions of potential barriers that prevent their children’s participation in physical activities.

A Quick Look at Some of the Survey Findings:

— Children of parents whose earnings are $25,000 per year are less likely to participate in organized physical activities (23.5%) than children whose families earn more than $50,000 per year (49.1%).

— African American tweens (24.1%) and Hispanic tweens (25.9%) are less likely to participate in organized physical activities while their white counterparts (46.6%) are more likely to participate.

— Parents who have more than a high school education are more likely to have children who participate in organized physical activities (46.8%) than parents with less than a high school education (19.4%).

— Fewer tweens reported involvement in organized sports (38.5%) than in free-time physical activity (77.4%).

— The largest barrier for parents in the lower income bracket was that an organized physical activity costs too much (70.6%). Transportation was also a barrier for low-income parents (44.5%).

Editor’s Note:

MMWR is available online at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr. Copies of the MMWR article also are available by calling Roberto Chevez at (909) 272-1888 x14.

CDC’s integrated Youth Media Campaign, known as VERB, uses advertising, marketing, events and partnership activities to ensure that campaign messages reach children whenever they are looking for something positive to do. Through multicultural media partnerships, the campaign is designed to reach children in all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds – including specific outreach for African Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and Hispanic/Latinos. The VERB Web site, http://www.VERBparents.com, is a resource for busy parents looking for ways to encourage physical activities among tweens and discourage unhealthy, risky behaviors. For more information about the campaign see http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign or visit the tween Web site at http://www.VERBnow.com.

CONTACT:
Roberto Chevez (English/Spanish)
(909) 272-1888 x14
or
Deborah Kazenelson-Deane(English/Spanish)
(818) 788-1679