Sheri Casey, Utah Valley University
Health
Justification: According to many studies, low socioeconomics is positively correlated to sports participation. Little research explores the economic relationship correlated with youth sports.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess changes at the family level in regards to youth sport participation rates influenced by recessions.
Methods: A random sample survey of economic trends was conducted with parents and legal guardians of children ages 5-18 (n=300). Two identical surveys utilized were a hard copy and a digital version. A cross-sectional study looked at recreation youth programs over a five-year period between the years 2007 and 2012.
Results: Results indicate the current economic recession has led to decreased youth sports participation of both recreation and private programs (r=-0.351; p<.001). Survey participants believed private sport's costs and fees to be extreme, whether or not they are currently participating (r=0.303; p<0.001). Households with income less than $40,000/yr tended to not participate in private sport programs. Program fees are equivalent to fees 5 years ago (<1%). Discussion: As these fees have remained constant, participation within families has declined due to costs. In the cross-sectional study, a decrease in participation was observed in grades 3-6. Overall, recreation youth sport numbers have remained steady. However, as economic status decreases, recreation program fees become too high and affect participation (r=0.343; p<0.001). Significance: According to the CDC, in 2010, more than 1/3 of children are overweight or obese and 70% have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is then inferred that as the national unemployment rate increases and economical status declines, the decline in youth sport participation rates might be one factor affecting increased childhood health risks and issues which future studies could evaluate.