eng Science and Education Publishing Journal of Physical Activity Research 2574-4437 2018-03-31 3 1 28 34 10.12691/jpar-3-1-5 JPAR2018315 article Sara A. Goodrum 1 Timothy A. Brusseau 1 Janet M. Shaw 1 Ryan D. Burns ryan.d.burns@utah.edu 1 Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, U.S.A Childhood obesity is a major focus of public health. The purpose of this study was to determine whether after-school physical activity and dietary habits predict cardio-metabolic risk in a sample of ethnic minority elementary school-aged children from low-income schools. Participants were a convenience sample of 92 children (3rd-6th grades) recruited from four Title I schools located in a metropolitan area from the Mountain West region of the United States. Children completed portions of the After School Student Questionnaire (ASSQ) and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) to measure after-school physical activity and nutrition, respectively. Blood pressure, waist circumference and cardio-metabolic blood markers were collected in a fasted state to calculate a continuous metabolic syndrome (MetS) composite score. Predictive relationships were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model. Neither physical activity or nutrition scores were predictive of a MetS score. However, there was a linear, positive, and moderate correlation between physical activity and nutrition scores (r = 0.29, p < 0.05). The findings indicate that cardio-metabolic health cannot be predicted based on self-reported after-school physical activity and nutrition habits. There are many challenges that arise when analyzing cardio-metabolic health in children; however, this is an area of research that needs further analysis. A clearer understanding of these relationships can aid in identifying risk factors for disease at an earlier age and aid in future intervention development. http://pubs.sciepub.com/jpar/3/1/5/jpar-3-1-5.pdf children's health metabolic syndrome cardiovascular disease diabetes overweight