ERIC Number: EJ1172901
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Motivators of and Barriers to Health-Promoting Behaviors among Culturally Diverse Middle and High School Students
Wippold, Guillermo M.; Tucker, Carolyn M; Smith, Tasia M.; Rodriguez, Victoria A.; Hayes, Lynda F.; Folger, Austin C.
American Journal of Health Education, v49 n2 p105-112 2018
Background: Youth obesity in the United States is a major health concern. Obesity can be reduced by increasing health-promoting behaviors. Purpose: The goals of the present study were to (1) identify the strongest motivators of and barriers to health-promoting behaviors among a culturally diverse group of middle and high school students and (2) determine whether these motivators and barriers differed by age, gender, race, and grade classification. Methods: Subjects were 591 sixth- through 12th-grade students enrolled in a public school. Results: A strong motivator for engaging in health-promoting behaviors is awareness of the health benefits of engaging in these behaviors. Strong barriers to engaging in health-promoting behaviors are preferences for unhealthy drinks and temptation to eat unhealthy foods. Additionally, there are significant differences in association with race/ethnicity and grade classification. Discussion: This study is unique in that youth rather than professional experts were asked to rate the strength of the motivators of and barriers to health-promoting behaviors. Translation to Health Education Practice: The results of this study have important implications for promoting healthy eating and drinking among middle school and high school students.
Descriptors: Middle School Students, High School Students, Health Behavior, Health Promotion, Motivation, Barriers, Age Differences, Gender Differences, Racial Differences, Instructional Program Divisions, Intervention, Multivariate Analysis, Statistical Analysis
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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
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A