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≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡
A first-of-its-kind survey found that in California, only a third of children aged 6-17 are getting the daily fitness activity recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.
The LA84 Foundation, whose mission as the recipient of $93 million from the 1984 Olympic Games surplus was originally “to put bats and balls in the hands of boys and girls,” has shifted to emphasizing a broader approach of “play equity.”
It commissioned a survey in the state of California to determine the actual status of sports and fitness activity children – aged 6-17 – are getting by the time most are finishing high school. The 2024 California Play Equity Report offered the results, which were not good:
“Only one-third (34%) of children engage in active play, movement, or physical activity five or more times per week. Thus, the majority of California youth – nearly two-thirds (66%) – are failing to meet the CDC’s recommendation of 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.”
There were marked differences in activity times between boys and girls:
Boys:
● 38% play 4+ days per week
● 32% play 3-4 days per week
● 29% play less than 3 times per week
Girls:
● 30% play 4+ times per week
● 27% play 3-4 times per week
● 41% play less than 3 times per week
Differences were shown by ethnic group as well:
Play 4+ times per week:
● 48% of whites
● 40% of Asian American/Pacific Islanders
● 29% of Black/African American
● 24% of Latinos
Play 3-4 times per week:
● 33% of Black/African American
● 33% of Latinos
● 26% of Asian American/Pacific Islander
● 25% of whites
Play less than 3 times per week:
● 40% of Latinos
● 38% of Black/African American
● 35% of Asian American/Pacific Islander
● 26% of whites
There was also a significant difference by region within the state:
Frequency of play (4x+/week ~ 3-4x/week ~ <3x/week):
● 46% – 24% – 29% in Rural North
● 37% – 27% – 35% in Central Valley
● 35% – 28% – 36% in Central Coast
● 35% – 28% – 35% in Los Angeles area
● 34% – 31% – 33% in San Francisco Bay area
● 33% – 29% – 35% in Sacramento area
● 33% – 33% – 32% in lower Southern California
● 28% – 30% – 41% in San Bernardino-Riverside counties
Why is this? One culprit often mentioned is the lack of physical education classes in schools today. However, the study noted that while 76% of children are enrolled in physical education classes, they aren’t held daily. In some cases, only 1-2 times per week.
Yet, “structured play” was recognized as one of the best ways to be exposed to more sports. Outside of school play, the question of access based on income arises. The survey found:
Participation in structured play outside of school:
● 38% for households earning $30,000 or less
● 39% for those earning $30-50,000
● 46% for those earning $50-75,000
● 65% for those earning $75-100,000
● 62% for those earning more than $100,000
Exacerbating the problem is that children are simply dropping out of sports. The survey found that 30% of California children (6-17) have quit playing sports over the last two years. The primary reasons cited by parents in the survey:
● 54% said time commitment
● 53% said loss of interest
● 43% said not fun any more
● 32% said friends quit
● 31% said excessive competitiveness
And 63% of parents said that the cost of supporting their kids in sports was an issue, along with transportation (36%), lack of availability of after-school child care (37%) and lack of opportunities in the local area (38%).
As for solutions, the study stated:
“[P]arents near-unanimously (95%) believe it is important for the State of California to provide full funding for youth sports, P.E., and structured play, and an overwhelming majority of parents (86%) support more funding at the state and local level for play equity.”
Now we’re into the politics, an area where the LA84 Foundation has been taking the lead, but competes with dozens of other priorities with legislators and school districts.
The survey itself included 1,636 California households, selected by geographic area, with school-aged children (ages 6-17), conducted from 1-14 May 2024, representing more than 2,686 children.
Taken as a baseline report on where physical activity in California is today, the report can be a lever for more attention to this issue, but the politics of money, schools and needs are not for the feint of heart. But this is a step forward, and in the context of a foundation built on one of the most inspiring sports events of all – the Olympic Games – another legacy of LA84.
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