ERIC Number: EJ812015
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Jun
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Black, Hispanic, and White Girls' Perceptions of Environmental and Social Support and Enjoyment of Physical Activity
Grieser, Mira; Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne; Saksvig, Brit I.; Lee, Jung-Sun; Felton, Gwen M.; Kubik, Martha Y.
Journal of School Health, v78 n6 p314-320 Jun 2008
Background: This study examines the differences among black, Hispanic, and white adolescent girls in their perceptions surrounding physical activity (PA), including support within the school climate, friend and family social support, and personal enjoyment. Methods: Participants included 1466 sixth-grade girls from 36 middle schools across the United States. Participants were 20% black, 21% Hispanic, 47% white, and 12% of other or mixed races. Multivariate analyses were performed on each scale, adjusting for body mass index and free and reduced-price lunch status. Results: Results showed racial differences on several variables. Black girls, compared with white girls, perceived significantly lower PA enjoyment (p less than 0.001) and teacher support for PA (p = 0.004). Hispanic girls experienced less PA enjoyment (p = 0.003) and perceived less support for PA from boys (p = 0.001) and their families (p = 0.008) than white girls. Black girls reported significantly higher levels of physical education (PE) enjoyment than did white girls (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Differences in perceived PA support and enjoyment across race raise questions about why these differences exist and how best to address disparities within interventions. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Physical Education, Middle School Students, Physical Activities, Females, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Whites, Racial Differences, Early Adolescents, Attitude Measures, Grade 6, Obesity, Intervention, Physical Activity Level, Body Composition, Educational Environment, Family Influence, Peer Influence
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 6; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A