Factors Influencing Physical Activity in Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs: A Pilot Study

Background. Evidence suggests that children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) have decreased physical activity compared to peers. This study describes weight status and physical activity in CYSHCN and identifies factors associated with physical activity and community resources to pro...

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Main Authors: Katie Feehan, Margaret E. O'Neil, Diana Abdalla, Maria Fragala-Pinkham, Monica Kondrad, Zekarias Berhane, Renee Turchi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:International Journal of Pediatrics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/583249
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author Katie Feehan
Margaret E. O'Neil
Diana Abdalla
Maria Fragala-Pinkham
Monica Kondrad
Zekarias Berhane
Renee Turchi
author_facet Katie Feehan
Margaret E. O'Neil
Diana Abdalla
Maria Fragala-Pinkham
Monica Kondrad
Zekarias Berhane
Renee Turchi
author_sort Katie Feehan
collection DOAJ
description Background. Evidence suggests that children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) have decreased physical activity compared to peers. This study describes weight status and physical activity in CYSHCN and identifies factors associated with physical activity and community resources to promote physical activity. Methods. Parents (n=21) and CYSHCN (n=23) were recruited from a pediatric clinic. The most prevalent diagnoses were autism (n=7, 30%) and cerebral palsy (n=3, 13%). Interviews were conducted with parents for information on physical activity and community resources. Children’s height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). Results. The majority of CYSHCN (n=13, 59%) were obese. CYSHCN did not meet recommended levels of 60 minutes of daily physical activity and engaged in more screen time than recommended. More children with cognitive/behavioral/emotional diagnoses were obese compared to children with physical/medical diagnoses. A majority of parents (n=16, 73%) indicated their CYSHCN need more supervision to participate in physical activity in community programs. Conclusion. The majority of CYSHCN in this study were obese and sedentary. Resources to promote physical activity are needed for this population.
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spelling doaj-art-a4bc8cd8e6f845c99d72d627f7b08d202025-08-20T02:23:05ZengWileyInternational Journal of Pediatrics1687-97401687-97592012-01-01201210.1155/2012/583249583249Factors Influencing Physical Activity in Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs: A Pilot StudyKatie Feehan0Margaret E. O'Neil1Diana Abdalla2Maria Fragala-Pinkham3Monica Kondrad4Zekarias Berhane5Renee Turchi6Drexel School of Public Health, Drexel University, 245 N. 15th Street, Mail Stop 660, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USADrexel College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, 245 N. 15th Street, Mail Stop 1030, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USADrexel College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, 245 N. 15th Street, Mail Stop 1030, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USAThe Research Center, Franciscan Hospital for Children, 30 Warren Street, Brighton, MA 02135, USADepartment of Pediatrics, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, 3601 A Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134, USADrexel School of Public Health, Drexel University, 245 N. 15th Street, Mail Stop 660, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USADrexel School of Public Health, Drexel University, 245 N. 15th Street, Mail Stop 660, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USABackground. Evidence suggests that children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) have decreased physical activity compared to peers. This study describes weight status and physical activity in CYSHCN and identifies factors associated with physical activity and community resources to promote physical activity. Methods. Parents (n=21) and CYSHCN (n=23) were recruited from a pediatric clinic. The most prevalent diagnoses were autism (n=7, 30%) and cerebral palsy (n=3, 13%). Interviews were conducted with parents for information on physical activity and community resources. Children’s height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). Results. The majority of CYSHCN (n=13, 59%) were obese. CYSHCN did not meet recommended levels of 60 minutes of daily physical activity and engaged in more screen time than recommended. More children with cognitive/behavioral/emotional diagnoses were obese compared to children with physical/medical diagnoses. A majority of parents (n=16, 73%) indicated their CYSHCN need more supervision to participate in physical activity in community programs. Conclusion. The majority of CYSHCN in this study were obese and sedentary. Resources to promote physical activity are needed for this population.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/583249
spellingShingle Katie Feehan
Margaret E. O'Neil
Diana Abdalla
Maria Fragala-Pinkham
Monica Kondrad
Zekarias Berhane
Renee Turchi
Factors Influencing Physical Activity in Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs: A Pilot Study
International Journal of Pediatrics
title Factors Influencing Physical Activity in Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs: A Pilot Study
title_full Factors Influencing Physical Activity in Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs: A Pilot Study
title_fullStr Factors Influencing Physical Activity in Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs: A Pilot Study
title_full_unstemmed Factors Influencing Physical Activity in Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs: A Pilot Study
title_short Factors Influencing Physical Activity in Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs: A Pilot Study
title_sort factors influencing physical activity in children and youth with special health care needs a pilot study
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/583249
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