Exploring the heterogeneity in physical activity during school time from an intersectional lens

Background
Most school-aged adolescents in Sweden do not meet the recommended physical activity (PA) levels. Previous research indicates that there are differences in adolescents’ PA levels, where girls, older adolescents, and those with low socioeconomic status (SES) tend to have lower PA levels. School-aged adolescents spend a large part of their day in school; despite this, little is known about differences in adolescents’ PA during school time between and within multiple social categories (such as gender, age, and SES). An intersectional perspective can provide an understanding of adolescents with multiple intersecting social categories’ PA during school time.

Purpose
From an intersectional perspective, this study aims to examine adolescents’ physical activity during school time by self-reported and objectively measured data.

Methods
This case study will involve two schools (one in a residential area with low SES and the other in a residential area with high SES) from Gothenburg, Sweden. The study participants are adolescents in grades five, seven, and nine. The data will be collected through a questionnaire and accelerometer (ActiGraph, model GT3X/GT3X+). Data collection will occur during the spring of 2024; initial results are expected by autumn.

(Expected) Results
The anticipated results are expected to provide information on a) adolescents’ PA during school time, b) potential group differences in PA during school time and c) how multiple social categories intersect to affect PA during school time.

Conclusions
The study could generate knowledge that might enable an understanding of the inequalities in PA during school time, which in turn may aid in promoting more equitable PA.

Practical implications
This study intends to explore a relatively unexplored field. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no prior study with an intersectional perspective has examined adolescents’ PA during school time.

Funding
The Swedish Research Council