How comfortable a child feels in their school environment may significantly influence their physical activity levels, according to a new study from the University of Georgia. Researchers from the UGA College of Public Health discovered that students who feel connected and safe at their school are more likely to be active. However, the study also noted a concerning decline in overall activity levels among this age group, particularly among girls.
“There is a trend of declining physical activity in Georgia and across the world among students, and that declining trend is increasing,” said Biplav Tiwari, lead 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.”
Impact of School Climate on Physical Activity
Using five years of data from the Georgia Student Health Survey, the researchers analyzed over 685,000 responses from middle and high school students, aged 11 through 17. The survey focused on 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 uncared for at their school were less likely to be physically active. Conversely, one in five students who felt supported, connected, and safe reported increased activity levels as they aged, being physically active at least four to five days per week.
“Students who are physically healthy are mentally healthy, and physical and mental health is associated with improved academic achievements. To reach the academic potential that our students are all capable of, they need social support and adult support in school,” said Janani Rajbhandari, senior author of the study and an associate professor in health policy and management.
Decline in Activity Levels as Students Age
The study also highlighted a decline in reported activity levels as children aged. Activity levels peaked at the end of middle school and then tapered off in high school, potentially due to state requirements. In Georgia, high school students are only required to complete one credit hour of physical exercise or wellness, which can even be done online. This minimal requirement means that unless students participate in team sports, their engagement in physical activity is generally low.
This decline was particularly pronounced among girls, who were 17% less likely than boys to report being physically active in high school. Past studies by the authors have also shown gender differences in the association between school climate and physical activity among high school students.
“Adolescence is a very important phase for establishing habits to last a lifetime. Healthy behaviors or habits that are formed have a lifelong impact,” said Rajbhandari.
Implications for Future Health and Education Policies
The study suggests that efforts to promote a positive school climate should continue, as it plays a crucial role beyond academics in combating unhealthy behaviors and reducing risks of obesity, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Enhancing the atmosphere of schools, where children spend most of their time, could be key in promoting healthy lifestyles.
“It’s really important that investment in adolescents continues to happen, and our findings suggest schools can be one of the important avenues for us to intervene to promote healthy lifestyles,” said Tiwari. “There is a need to recognize the importance of school climate and implement a holistic approach to improve the health of our future: the students.”
This study was published in Frontiers in Public Health and was co-authored by Jacob Matta, Linlin Da, Kiran Thapa, Ye Shen, and Justin Ingels of the UGA College of Public Health, as well as Michael Thomsen from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
