Gender, weight status and socioeconomic differences in psychosocial correlates of physical activity in schoolchildren

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Ana Seabra (Author) Other; Denisa Mendonca (Author) ICBAS; José António Ribeiro Maia (Author) FADEUP; Gregory Welk (Author) Other; Robert Brustad (Author) Other; Antonio M Fonseca (Author) FADEUP; Andre F Seabra (Author) FADEUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

Vol. 16

Pages: 320-326

ISSN: 1440-2440

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 49 Citations

Scopus - 46 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-006-9QG

DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2012.07.008

Abstract (EN): Objectives: This study sought to assess differences in attraction to physical activity, perceived physical competence and parental socialization influences across gender, body mass index and socioeconomic status in Portuguese children. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: 683 children, aged 8-10 years, from elementary schools were participants. Attraction to physical activity, perceived physical competence, parental socialization influences and socioeconomic status were assessed via standardized questionnaires. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was calculated using body mass index, based on the international cut-off points. MANOVA and ANOVA models were conducted. Results: Boys reported greater enjoyment of games and sports participation than did girls. Boys and normal-weight children perceived themselves as being more successful and physically competent than did girls and obese children. Normal-weight girls enjoyed participation in vigorous physical activity more than did overweight and obese girls. Obese children felt less accepted by their peers in games and sports than did normal-weight and overweight children. High and medium socioeconomic status children perceived physical activity participation as of greater importance than did low-socioeconomic status children. High-socioeconomic status girls reported greater liking of the exertional aspects of physical activity compared to low socioeconomic status girls. High socioeconomic status children were more likely to perceive their parents as positive role models and perceived that they had greater enjoyment of physical activity than did lower socioeconomic status children. Conclusions: These results suggest that physical activity promotion interventions should focus on girls, obese children and lower socioeconomic status children as these individuals tend to have lower levels of attraction to physical activity, lower perceived physical competence and less parent physical activity support, which puts them at greater risk of being physically inactive.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7