ERIC Number: EJ1169489
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
Relationship between Health Risk and School Attendance among Adolescents
Centeio, Erin E.; Cance, Jessica Duncan; Barcelona, Jeanne M.; Castelli, Darla M.
American Journal of Health Education, v49 n1 p28-32 2018
Background/Purpose: The prevalence of childhood obesity and school truancy are contemporary health issues, as millions of children do not attend school, when required. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between intent to be physically active, aerobic fitness, and school absences. Methods: Data from 1907 adolescents from the United States were collected during physical education. Participants completed a valid Theory of Planned Behavior survey and the FitnessGram, with the demographic data obtained from school records. Linear regressions controlling for gender, grade, free/reduced lunch, body mass index, and intent to be physically active were calculated. Results: Adolescents who had positive intentions to be physically active (P < 0.001), scored higher on the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) test (P = 0.006), and ran faster in the mile (P < 0.001) had fewer unexcused absences compared to students who had negative intentions and lower fitness. Discussion: Adolescents with higher aerobic fitness had fewer unexcused school absences, which suggests that cardiovascular health may be a valuable contributor in decreasing adolescent health and behavior risk, specifically truancy and out-of-school suspensions. Translation to Health Education Practice: Whole-of-school approaches that align physical activities and educational experiences can help adolescents understand the benefits of physical fitness as a prevention strategy.
Descriptors: High School Students, Adolescents, Physical Health, Risk, Attendance Patterns, Physical Activity Level, Health Related Fitness, Exercise, Physical Education, Intention, Student Surveys, Behavior Theories, Regression (Statistics), Sex, Instructional Program Divisions, Lunch Programs, Body Composition, Tests, Statistical Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A