ERIC Number: EJ1059802
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: N/A
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-8981
EISSN: N/A
Pedometer-Assessed Physical Activity Levels of Rural Appalachian Youth
Oh, Hyun-Ju; Rana, Sharon
Physical Educator, v71 n4 2014
The purposes of this investigation were to examine whether pedometer-assessed physical activity (PA) in Appalachian Ohio students differed by body mass index (BMI), school level (middle school vs. high school), and gender during school days and nonschool days and whether students met the recommended PA guidelines. Participants (N = 149) were recruited from four schools in rural southeastern Ohio. PA was assessed using a sealed pedometer with a moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) timer for 7 consecutive days. Univariate 2 . 2 . 2 ANOVAs showed boys and girls did not differ greatly in PA levels in middle school, but high school girls showed a much lower PA level than high school boys and middle school girls. ANOVAs also demonstrated BMI did not affect PA levels. The frequency data revealed that Appalachian Ohio youth showed relatively low PA regardless of BMI category, school level, and gender. However, the participants appeared to be more active during school days than nonschool days. Only 17% of participants met either one or both of the recommended steps per day and MVPA time per day, respectively, during school days. Behavioral interventions and policies are necessary to increase PA for youth in this region, especially high school girls.
Descriptors: Measurement, Physical Activity Level, Statistical Analysis, Body Composition, Middle School Students, High School Students, Rural Areas, Electronic Equipment, Gender Differences, Intervention, Health Behavior
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Junior High Schools; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ohio
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A