Predictors of change in sports participation in Latino and non-Latino children

Background: Few prospective studies have examined predictors of change in specifi c physical activity (PA) behaviours in different ethnic groups. Purpose To assess predictors of change in sports participation in Latino and non-Latino 5-8 year-old children in San Diego, California. Methods: Average sports participation frequency (days/week) was assessed by validated parent-report at baseline (Nov 2006-May 2008) and 1 year later in 541 children (45.0% male, 41.1% Latino; mean±SD age: 6.6±0.7 years) taking part in an obesity prevention study (Project MOVE). Biological (sex, age, Body Mass Index z-score), socio-cultural (ethnicity, income, care giver education), parental (PA rules, PA encouragement) and environmental factors (home PA equipment, PA location) were assessed at baseline. Associations between change in sports participation and potential predictors were studied using multilevel linear regression stratifi ed by Latino ethnicity, adjusted for sex, baseline sport participation, study condition and recruitment area. Results: Sports participation increased over 1 year (mean change: +0.5 days; p <0.001) and change was similar for boys and girls (p=0.95), but Latino children showed a greater increase (p=0.03). The number of locations used for PA (p=0.024) and the total frequency of PA location use (p=0.018) were positively associated with increased sports participation among Latinos. No predictors were identifi ed for non-Latino children. Conclusions: Only factors relating to PA location were identifi ed as predictors of change in sports participation for Latino children. Interventions targeting specifi c PA behaviours such as sports participation may need to consider PA locations for Latino children and be tailored for specifi c ethnic groups.