A survey of inner city youth and their parents about participation in sports.

BACKGROUND Several studies have explored motivating factors for sports participation for youth, but limited data is available regarding factors motivating inner-city children to participate in sports. METHODS A consecutive sample of parents (n=100 parents) and children (n=138 children) attending a health fair in an inner-city community were surveyed regarding motivating factors for enrolling in a team sport (or enrolling their child in a team sport). Parents and children indicated the importance of 10 factors (1=not very important to 4=very important) on separate but similar written surveys. RESULTS "Developing healthy habits" and "Becoming physically fit and healthy" received the highest mean rankings from both parents and children. "Helping my child gain or lose weight" received one of the lowest rankings from parents. CONCLUSIONS To encourage sports participation by inner-city children, health care professionals and others should emphasize identified motivational factors for children and their parents.