Research and Data

Physical Activity plays a vital role in supporting academic performance and quality of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Physical Activity Facts, students who are physically active tend to have better grades, school attendance, cognitive performance and classroom behaviors. Additionally, physical activity improves cardio-respiratory fitness, builds strong bones and muscles, controls weight, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduces the risk of developing health conditions.

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 years do 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. Unfortunately, less than one-quarter (24%) of children 6 to 17 years of age participate in 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Data from the 2021 New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (YRRS) found: 

• Middle School Students in Bernalillo: 

  • • 27.6% said they participated in Daily Physical Activity - Down from 32.4% in 2019

    • 19.6% said they participated in NO Physical Activity in the past week - Up from 15.7% in 2019

    • 29.7% describes self as slightly or very overweight - Up from 28.3% in 2019

• High School Students in Bernalillo: 

  • • 20.1% said they participated in Daily Physical Activity - Down from 24.7% in 2019 

    • 17.3% said they participated in NO Physical Activity in the past week - Up from 15.2% in 2019

    • 35.8 describe themselves as Overweight or Obese - Up from 28% in 2019