Survey Results

Variable Name: Indicator 5.3: Activities outside school

Survey Items:

Denominator: Children age 6-17 years

Numerator: Children participating in 1 or more organized activities outside of school; Children who do NOT participate in organized activities outside of school

Revisions and Changes: In 2003, question S7Q11 read: "During the past 12 months, did [he/she] participate in any clubs or organizations after school or on weekends, such as Scouts, a religious group, or [Boy/Girl]’s club?" In 2007, the wording of question K7Q31 was revised to ask "During the past 12 months, did [he/she] participate in any clubs or organizations after school or on weekends?" Examples of clubs (Scouts, arts, religious groups, and Boys/Girls clubs) were moved to a help screen and asked only if participants needed assistance. Similarly, help screens were added to K7Q30 for examples of sports teams ("Include any teams run by your child's school or community groups") and to K7Q32 for examples of other organized events ("This question can include organized lessons in music, dance, foreign languages, performing arts, computers, etc").
Take these changes into consideration when comparing results across survey years.

Additional Notes: For Indicator 5.3, activities outside of school are defined as: sports teams or lessons (K7Q30), clubs or organizations (K7Q31) or any other organized event or activity (K7Q32) that takes place after school or on weekends.
Section 7 questions were asked only for children between 6 and 17 years of age.

Treatment of Unknown Values: Unknown values (responses coded as 'refused', 'don't know', or system missing) are not included in the denominator when calculating prevalence estimates and weighted population counts displayed in the data query results table. In nearly every case, the proportion of unknown values is less than 1% and the exclusion of these values does not change the prevalence estimates (%) and only marginally affects the weighted population counts (Weighted Est.). Exceptions are noted in the form of a “Data Alert” at the bottom of a results table.

History and Development: The Maternal and Child Health Bureau leads the development of the NSCH survey and indicators, in collaboration with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and a national technical expert panel. The expert panel includes representatives from other federal agencies, state Title V leaders, family organizations, and child health researchers. Previously validated questions and scales are used when available. Respondents’ cognitive understanding of the survey questions is assessed during the pretest phase and revisions made as required. All final data components are verified by NCHS and DRC/CAHMI staff prior to public release.