ERIC Number: EJ1433055
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2471-1616
EISSN: EISSN-2471-1624
Higher Learning as a Conduit to Healthy Living: A Review of Physical Activity and Health Education Courses Offered and Required at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
International Journal of Kinesiology in Higher Education, v8 n3 p223-234 2024
Most college students do not engage in adequate physical activity. Physical education requirements (PERs) are often viewed as a potential solution to physical inactivity within this population as these courses provide opportunities for students to be physically active and/or become educated about healthy lifestyles. The potential benefits of these courses are particularly salient for Black college students who face many health disparities. The purpose of this study was to examine the health education and physical activity course offerings and requirements at Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs). We examined the online course catalogs of all four-year accredited HBCUs in the United States (N = 86) to determine if they (1) offered and/or (2) required their students to take any health education or physical activity courses. Overall, 81 of the four-year HBCUs in this study (94%) at least offered their students a physical activity or health education course, although only 42 schools (48.8%) required either course for graduation. The remaining 44 institutions (51.1%) did not require their students to take a health education or physical activity course for graduation. PERs appear to be more prevalent at HBCUs compared to non-HBCUs; however, there has been a reduction in PERs across all institutions alike over the past few decades. Future studies should explore whether higher PERs at HBCUs are associated with Black students' actual physical activity behaviors. HBCUs are presented with a unique opportunity to support the health behaviors and knowledge of Black college students.
Descriptors: Black Colleges, Health Education, Health Related Fitness, College Students, African American Students, Health Promotion, Physical Activity Level, Required Courses
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A