Socioeconomic and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Physical Activity Environments in Georgia Elementary Schools

Purpose:This study aimed to characterize physical activity (PA) environments in Georgia public elementary schools and to identify socioeconomic status (SES) and racial/ethnic disparities in PA environments.Design:A school setting PA survey was launched in 2013 to 2014 as a cross-sectional online survey assessing PA environment factors, including facility access and school PA practices, staff PA opportunities, parental involvement in school PA, and out-of-school PA opportunities.Setting:All 1333 Georgia public elementary schools were recruited.Participants:A total of 1083 schools (81.2%) responded. Survey respondents included school administrators, physical education (PE) teachers, and grade-level chairs.Measures:Physical activity environment factors were assessed via an online questionnaire adapted from school PA surveys and articles.Analysis:The chi-square and Fisher exact analyses were conducted to examine the reporting of PA environment factors overall and by school SES, as measured by free/reduced lun...