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The physical activity of children: a study of 1,602 Irish schoolchildren aged 11-12 years.

The adoption of a physically active lifestyle is widely believed to be a component of preventive medicine best initiated in childhood. Information on the factors that influence activity behaviour is prerequisite to effective health promotion. Data were collected from a cohort of preadolescent children in 5th and 6th classes of 62 Irish national primary school. 1,602 children were interviewed, 810 girls and 792 boys. Gender differences in recreational activity were significant (p <.0001), and a significant decline was observed in girls' activity from 5th to 6th class (p<.0001). Evidence of social class effect on behaviour was not convincing. In regression analysis, primary PE (B,0.016, 95% CI 0.012 to 0.021, p <.0001). gender (B, -.209, 95% CI -.277 to -.141, p < .0001), sports club membership (B,.201, 95% CI .131 to .272, p < .0001), and social integration status (B, .039, 95% CI .024 to .055, p < .0001) were identified as significant independent predictors of recreational activity. Parental support and physical self-perception were weak predictors. Findings suggest that the primary school plays an important role in the socialisation of children into active lifestyles.