Parental awareness and engagement in the Active Kids program across socioeconomic groups in New South Wales, Australia

Oral Presentation A8.5

Authors

  • Katherine B. Owen University of Sydney
  • Bridget C. Foley University of Sydney
  • Adrian Bauman University of Sydney
  • William Bellew University of Sydney
  • Lindsey J. Reece University of Sydney

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.408

Keywords:

Children, Physical Activity, Sport, Equity, Active Kids

Abstract

Background: In 2018, the New South Wales (NSW) Government implemented a State-wide voucher program entitled Active Kids, to reduce the cost barrier to children’s (5-18 years old) participation in organised sport and physical activity. Purpose: To explore parent/carer’s awareness and children’s engagement in the Active Kids program across socioeconomic groups using the independent NSW Population Health Survey (PHS) to validate engagement in the program. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study design. Data were obtained from the 2018 NSW PHS and the Active Kids program registration database. Multinomial regression models were used to determine whether socioeconomic status was associated with parent/carer awareness and children’s engagement in the program. Results: In 2018, 671,375 (53%) of all children in NSW registered for the Active Kids program. Parent/carer’s in the most disadvantaged quartile were twice as likely to have never heard of the Active Kids program (OR: 2.04, 95% CIs 1.31, 3.16) or to have heard or the program but not registered (OR:1.94, 95% CIs 1.26, 3.00), and more than twice as likely to have registered for a voucher, but not followed through and redeemed the voucher (OR: 2.68, 95% CIs 1.27, 5.63) compared with the least disadvantaged quartile. Conclusions: The Active Kids program has provided financial support for organised sport and physical activity to a large number of children. However, there are still a substantial proportion of socially disadvantaged populations who are unaware and unengaged in the program. Further targeted work is required to increase engagement in the program for socially disadvantaged populations.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Owen, K. B., Foley, B. C., Bauman, A., Bellew, W., & Reece, L. J. (2021). Parental awareness and engagement in the Active Kids program across socioeconomic groups in New South Wales, Australia: Oral Presentation A8.5. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.408

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