How Elementary Schools Shape Leisure-Time Physical Activity among Pupils in Israel: A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Study
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| Title: | How Elementary Schools Shape Leisure-Time Physical Activity among Pupils in Israel: A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Study |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Ayala Zak Yehuda (ORCID |
| Source: | Health Education Journal. 2026 85(4):418-430. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Elementary Education Grade 4 Intermediate Grades Grade 6 Middle Schools |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Physical Activity Level, Physical Activities, Leisure Time, Elementary Schools, Elementary School Students, Jews, Arabs, Educational Environment, Institutional Characteristics, School Policy, Parent Participation, Socioeconomic Status, Gender Differences, Correlation, Athletics, Grade 4, Grade 6 |
| Geographic Terms: | Israel |
| DOI: | 10.1177/00178969261428580 |
| ISSN: | 0017-8969 1748-8176 |
| Abstract: | Background: Rates of physical inactivity and obesity among children, including those in Israel, continue to rise. While childhood is recognised as a crucial stage for developing lifelong physical activity (PA) habits, the extent to which the school environment and individual pupil characteristics are associated with leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is not yet well understood. Objective: This study aimed to explore which characteristics of pupils and elementary schools in Israel were associated with the frequency of pupils' LTPA. Methods: This cross-sectional survey included 1,398 pupils (aged 10-12 years) and 134 parents across 29 schools. Fourteen of them were Health Promoting Schools (HPS), representing Jewish secular, Jewish religious and Arab populations across Israel. The survey questionnaire examined pupils' LTPA and potential related factors, including school population group, school climate, school health policies, parental involvement and the integration of PA into school routines. Data were also collected on pupils' socioeconomic background, gender and school's recognition as an HPS. Results: LTPA was significantly associated with pupils' engagement in school sports activities (p <0 .001) and a positive school climate (p < 0.001). Boys engaged in significantly more LTPA than girls (p < 0.001). However, socioeconomic status, school affiliation with the HPS initiative and population group were not significantly associated with LTPA. Conclusion: Integrating sports activities into everyday school routines, fostering positive school climates and considering gender differences are essential factors for enhancing LTPA among elementary school pupils. Furthermore, being an HPS, having high socioeconomic status and implementing health-promotion policies in the school do not necessarily guarantee higher frequency of LTPA among pupils. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1507528 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Background: Rates of physical inactivity and obesity among children, including those in Israel, continue to rise. While childhood is recognised as a crucial stage for developing lifelong physical activity (PA) habits, the extent to which the school environment and individual pupil characteristics are associated with leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is not yet well understood. Objective: This study aimed to explore which characteristics of pupils and elementary schools in Israel were associated with the frequency of pupils' LTPA. Methods: This cross-sectional survey included 1,398 pupils (aged 10-12 years) and 134 parents across 29 schools. Fourteen of them were Health Promoting Schools (HPS), representing Jewish secular, Jewish religious and Arab populations across Israel. The survey questionnaire examined pupils' LTPA and potential related factors, including school population group, school climate, school health policies, parental involvement and the integration of PA into school routines. Data were also collected on pupils' socioeconomic background, gender and school's recognition as an HPS. Results: LTPA was significantly associated with pupils' engagement in school sports activities (p <0 .001) and a positive school climate (p < 0.001). Boys engaged in significantly more LTPA than girls (p < 0.001). However, socioeconomic status, school affiliation with the HPS initiative and population group were not significantly associated with LTPA. Conclusion: Integrating sports activities into everyday school routines, fostering positive school climates and considering gender differences are essential factors for enhancing LTPA among elementary school pupils. Furthermore, being an HPS, having high socioeconomic status and implementing health-promotion policies in the school do not necessarily guarantee higher frequency of LTPA among pupils. |
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| ISSN: | 0017-8969 1748-8176 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/00178969261428580 |
