Is Greater Access to Youth Sport the Key to Eliminating Physical Activity Disparities?
This invited commentary shows that increasing girls' access to sports could save the US healthcare system billions of dollars while improving girls' health outcomes. It challenges long-held assumptions about why fewer girls participate in sports and offers practical solutions that schools and communities can implement.
College of Health researcher(s)
Abstract
In the article titled “Modeling Health and Economic Outcomes of Eliminating Sex Disparities in Youth Physical Activity,” Tamura et al1 sought to understand what would happen to population health as well as direct productivity and medical costs if disparities were eliminated in physical activity (PA) levels between boys and girls in the US aged 6 to 17 years. Using agent-based modeling, the authors found that reducing disparities in PA between boys and girls would improve health and lower both medical and productivity costs among girls, saving the US nearly $2 billion dollars. Clearly, this study highlights an important issue and shows how eliminating one type of health disparity (ie, increasing PA) among girls can have a substantial long-term impact on US society’s health and economy.
Physical Activity Disparities FAQ
What was the main finding of the study by Tamura et al.?
The study by Tamura et al. found that eliminating disparities in physical activity levels between boys and girls in the US aged 6 to 17 years would lead to significant health improvements and cost savings. Specifically, increasing physical activity among girls to match that of boys could save the US nearly $2 billion. This highlights the substantial impact of addressing physical activity disparities on both population health and the economy.
Why is increasing access to youth sports important for girls' physical activity levels?
Research consistently shows that youth who participate in sports are more physically active. While a large proportion of girls already participate in sports, disparities between girls and boys persist, particularly in under-resourced communities and schools. Increasing access to sports for girls can effectively bridge this gap and promote greater physical activity.
What is a major barrier to girls' participation in sports?
A significant barrier is the lack of equal access and opportunities for girls to participate in sports, particularly in under-resourced communities and schools. This disparity is not due to a lack of interest from girls; the myth that girls are less interested in sports has been debunked.
How does socioeconomic status affect girls' access to sports?
Studies show that urban public high schools with a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches offer fewer sports teams for girls compared to schools with more affluent student bodies. This suggests that socioeconomic disparities contribute to the gap in sports participation between girls and boys.
What are some specific ways to increase girls' participation in sports?
One clear path is to add more opportunities for girls to participate, particularly in under-resourced communities and schools. This could involve:
- Introducing new sports programs
- Expanding existing programs by adding more teams
- Splitting coeducational sports into single-sex sports to provide more opportunities for girls
What is a more cost-effective way to increase girls' access to sports?
Instead of adding entirely new sports, which can be resource-intensive, a more economical approach is to expand existing sports offerings. This could involve creating additional squads, such as freshman or multiple junior varsity teams, within existing programs. This would require fewer resources while still positively impacting girls' participation rates.
Why are coeducational sports relevant to the discussion of girls' participation?
Coeducational sports like wrestling and flag football, which have seen increasing participation rates in recent years, present a unique opportunity. By splitting these into single-sex sports, schools can easily create additional opportunities for girls without needing to establish entirely new programs.
What is the significance of Title IX in relation to girls' sports?
The passage of Title IX in 1972 was a landmark achievement for gender equity in sports, leading to significant increases in girls' participation. However, continued investment in youth sports for girls is needed to further improve access and address remaining disparities. This investment is crucial for promoting greater physical activity among girls, ultimately contributing to better health and economic outcomes for communities.