Psychological, Physical Environment and Socio-Cultural Variables as Predictors of Physical Activity Involvement Among School-Aged Children in Rural and Urban Settlements in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

The rising rate of childhood obesity and other health problems strongly tied to physical inactivity is increasingly becoming a major cause of concern in public health. Physical activity is fundamental to the healthy development of children and adolescents. As such, promoting physical activity is becoming a top public health priority throughout the world. Previous studies focused mainly on demographic / biological predictors of physical activity among different population, with little concentration on both rural and urban settlements. This study therefore, examined psychological, physical environment and socio-cultural variables as predictors of physical activity involvement among school-aged children in rural and urban settlements in Sokoto State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey research design was employed and data were generated using self-developed and adopted questionnaire. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure physical activity level. A sample of 1158 respondents was used in the study, through the use of stratified, purposive and simple random sampling techniques. The result of the study showed that physical activity was moderated among the respondents, with rural school-aged children demonstrating higher physical activeness compared to their urban counterparts. The finding on the predictive effects revealed that, psychological variables (F(3,1154)=242.967, p<0.05), physical environmental variables (F(3,1154)=320.141, p<0.05) and socio-cultural variables (F(3,1154)=992.304, p<0.05) significantly predicted physical activity involvement among the respondents. Psychological variables of self-efficacy, attitude towards physical activity and physical activity participation intention had relative prediction on physical activity involvement. Facilities for play at school, facilities for play at home and transportation to and from school were relatively tested as physical environmental variables. Socio-cultural variables of gender stereotype, parental support and modelling had relative prediction on physical activity involvement among respondents. It was concluded that psychological, physical environmental and socio-cultural variables had significant prediction on physical activity involvement among the respondents. Modification of the tested variables as an effective strategy to improving physical activeness among the population was recommended.