ANN ARBOR, MI - A recent study shows financially privileged students have lower Body Mass Indexes (BMI) and post better results on physical performance tests than their less wealthy counterparts.
The study, conducted by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Fitness for Youth program at the University of Michigan, compares scores in BMI, distance runs, flexibility, abdominal strength and upper body strength among high, moderate and low socioeconomic status (SES) children. Financially privileged children scored significantly higher than lower SES students in all these areas.
Charles T. Kuntzleman, director of the Blues' Fitness for Youth program, terms these findings "ominous." "Our research indicates less privileged children are at much higher risk of developing health problems as adults," he says. "If we do not change this trend, these problems will dramatically reduce their future quality of life and cost Michigan's health care system hundreds of millions of dollars."
Diana Jones, vice president of community affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, agrees. "The Blues are concerned that youngsters from less financially privileged communities are suffering," she says. "Action must be taken now to reverse this tendency before it is too late."
The study strongly suggests less financially privileged Michigan children lead sedentary lives. By doing so, they are increasing their chances of developing high blood pressure, non-insulin dependent diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. Their low flexibility and abdominal strength also indicates increased risk for low back pain.
Kuntzleman thinks several factors contribute to the lower fitness levels among the less privileged students. "Children from poorer communities tend to have inferior physical education programs and less opportunity to participate in recreation leagues and live in areas where it is often unsafe to play outside," he says. "Put these together and you have children with little opportunity to participate in activities that could not only improve their health, but their quality of life as well."
While these factors may seem insurmountable, Kuntzleman believes a concerted effort by local, state and federal policy makers could overcome them. "Policy makers must work at improving the physical education and recreational opportunities for children in financially poorer areas," he says. "The present system which places lower SES children in greater danger of developing health problems later in life smacks of economic discrimination."
The study used test results from over 35,000 Michigan youth aged 5-14. Socioeconomic groupings came from data provided by the National School Lunch Reimbursement Plan.