Mental Health, Physical Activity and Sport Participation among Children with Developmental Disabilities

Document Type

Presentation

Presentation Date

11-7-2022

Abstract or Description

The purpose of this study was to examine data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (2016-2020) to explore the associations among mental health (MH), receipt of mental health services (MHS), participation in physical activity (PA), and sport among children with developmental disabilities (DD) and typically developing children (TDC).
We identified 15,382 children with a DD and 35,960 TDC between the ages of 6-17. Age, income, sex, and race were included as covariates. Logistic and multinomial logistic regression analyses were then employed.
Few children with a DD (19.9%) and TDC (20.6%) were likely to engage in daily PA. Additionally, children with a DD were 39% less likely to participate in sports or teams compared to TDC (pParticipation in sport and PA are important for the overall health and well-being of all children. This presentation will provide a summary of study results, an overview of the benefits of PA and sport among children with a DD, and recommendations to address barriers to participation.

Additional Information

Georgia Southern University faculty members, Haresh Rochani, Christopher Modlesky, and Gavin Colquitt co-presented Mental Health, Physical Activity and Sport Participation among Children with Developmental Disabilities in the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Conference, November 2022.

Sponsorship/Conference/Institution

American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Conference

Location

Boston, MA

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