ERIC Number: EJ990071
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Mar
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0270-1367
EISSN: N/A
Social Inequalities in Body Weight and Physical Activity: Exploring the Role of Fitness Centers
McLaren, Lindsay; Rock, Melanie J.; McElgunn, Jamie
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, v83 n1 p94-102 Mar 2012
Fitness centers are a viable option for physical activity, particularly in climates with significant weather variation. Due to variation in economic and social expressions of exclusivity, fitness centers may have some relation to social inequalities in physical inactivity and related health outcomes; thus, our objective was to explore this relation. Using publicly available data and guided by Bourdieu's theory of habitus, we classified fitness centers in Calgary, Canada, on three dimensions of exclusivity (economic, social, and appearance). We found that, although some highly exclusive centers exist, most demonstrated low exclusivity based on our dimensions. An overall contribution of centers to inequalities appears to be limited; however, caution is warranted in light of cutbacks to municipal budgets that can have an impact on publicly funded facilities. (Contains 1 note, 1 table, and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Body Weight, Physical Activities, Health Related Fitness, Public Health, Recreational Facilities, Health Facilities, Data Analysis, Inclusion, Social Bias, Socioeconomic Influences, Sociocultural Patterns, Urban Areas, Web Sites
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-213-7193; Fax: 703-476-9527; e-mail: info@aahperd.org; Web site: http://www.aahperd.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A