A cross-cultural study of physical activity during recess in Senegal and the United States

Abstract

The obesity rate in Sub-Saharan African countries is rising, while obesity-related behaviors among youth in these countries, including Senegal, are understudied. Cross-cultural comparisons of recess physical activity (PA) behaviors could provide context and insight into influences on PA. The purpose of this study was to investigate the PA levels and behaviors of children at recess in Senegal and make similar comparisons to children at recess in the U.S. A cross-cultural, mixed-methods study design compared detailed playground observations and device-measured PA during recess periods in four Senegalese and four U.S. elementary schools. Physical activity was measured during recess using waist-worn accelerometers, and detailed observations were recorded for data triangulation. A total of 187 students 1st through 5th graders (151 from US schools) wore accelerometers. During recess, Senegalese students were 19.7% more sedentary (p < .001, 95% CI [14.9, 24.5]) and engaged in 25.7% less moderate-to-vigorous PA (p < .001, 95% CI [-32.5, -8.0]) compared to U.S. children. Students in U.S. schools had higher PA levels compared to Senegalese school children. Differing physical environments and purposes of recess may contribute to varying levels of PA between countries.