Physical activity levels of Barbadian youth and comparison to a U.S. sample.

This is the first study to report on physical activity levels of young people in Barbados. The Self-Administered Physical Activity Checklist was administered to 1,579 children aged 8 to 18 years. The majority of youth (69%) reported at least 60 min of physical activity on the previous school day. Boys and younger students reported greater physical activity than girls and older students (p < .001). Participation in physical education was low among primary (30%) and secondary (18%) school students, and youth reported the majority of their physical activity took place after school (58%). Physical activity levels and patterns were similar to those of U.S. youth. Gender and grade differences in physical activity could put girls and older youth at higher risk for health problems such as obesity. Policy recommendations to support youth physical activity in Barbados include mandatory daily physical education and after-school physical activity programs.