Immigrant children exercise less

Federal researchers analyzed data from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health and determined that physical inactivity among children varied widely in different ethnic groups. For example, 22.5 percent of immigrant Hispanic children were inactive compared to 9.5 percent of US-born Caucasian children. However, immigrant children were less likely to sit in front of the TV for three or more hours per day.

The article doesn't really explain why there's such a discrepancy. Possibly, it's due to a lack of availability of affordable sports programs. The study authors suggest that health education programs that promote physical activity should be geared to children of immigrant families in addition to children who's families have a lower socio-economic status.

In my humble opinion, there could be many factors at play. Economics is certainly a factor -- anyone who's child is enrolled in team sports knows how expensive it can be. Another factor could be neighborhood safety; I'm lucky enough to live in a friendly, safe neighborhood where my son can play outside for hours, but I know that all neighborhoods aren't like that.