ERIC Number: EJ813998
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1090-1981
EISSN: N/A
Physical Activity Attitudes, Preferences, and Practices in African American, Hispanic, and Caucasian Girls
Grieser, Mira; Vu, Maihan B.; Bedimo-Rung, Ariane L.; Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne; Moody, Jamie; Young, Deborah Rohm; Moe, Stacey G.
Health Education & Behavior, v33 n1 p40-51 2006
Physical activity levels in girls decline dramatically during adolescence, most profoundly among minorities. To explore ethnic and racial variation in attitudes toward physical activity, semistructured interviews (n = 80) and physical activity checklists (n = 130) are conducted with African American, Hispanic, and Caucasian middle school girls in six locations across the United States. Girls from all groups have similar perceptions of the benefits of physical activity, with staying in shape as the most important. Girls have similar negative perceptions of physical activity, including getting hurt, sweating, aggressive players, and embarrassment. Chores, running or jogging, exercises, and dance are common activities for girls regardless of ethnicity. Basketball, swimming, running, and dance are commonly cited favorite activities, although there are slight differences between ethnic groups. The results suggest that factors other than ethnicity contribute to girls' physical activity preferences and that distinct interventions may not be needed for each ethnic group. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Ethnicity, Physical Activities, Females, White Students, African American Students, Hispanic American Students, Physical Activity Level, Minority Groups, Student Attitudes, Attitude Measures, Middle School Students, Check Lists, Interviews, Athletics, Urban Schools, Rural Schools, Suburban Schools, Socioeconomic Influences, Racial Differences, Barriers
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Arizona; California; Louisiana; Maryland; Minnesota; South Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A