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Psychosocial Correlates of Physical Activity in Healthy Children
Richard S. Strauss, MD;
Daria Rodzilsky, RD;
Gail Burack, PhD;
Michelle Colin, RD
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2001;155:897-902.
Background Understanding the determinants of physical activity in children is critical
for the treatment and prevention of childhood obesity. Social-cognitive theory
has been used to understand behavioral patterns in children.
Objectives To explore the relationship between health beliefs, self-efficacy, social
support, and sedentary activities and physical activity levels in children
and to examine the relationship between physical activity and children's self-esteem.
Methods Ninety-two children aged 10 to 16 years completed the study. Physical
activity was monitored for 1 week with a motion detector (Actitrac; IM Systems,
Baltimore, Md). Moderate-level activity and high-level activity were defined
based on the results of treadmill testing. Health beliefs, self-efficacy,
social influences, and time spent in sedentary behaviors were determined through
questionnaires. Self-esteem was measured using the Piers-Harris Children's
Self-Concept Scale. Chronic anxiety was measured with the Revised Children's
Manifest Anxiety Scale.
Results There was a significant decline in physical activity levels between
ages 10 and 16 years, particularly in girls. Preteen girls spent approximately
35% more time in low- and high-level activity than did teenage girls (P<.001). Overall, children spent 75.5% of the day inactive,
with a mean ± SD of 5.2 ± 1.8 hours watching television, sitting
at the computer, and doing homework. In contrast, only 1.4% of the day (12.6
± 12.2 minutes) was spent in vigorous activity. Time spent in sedentary
behaviors was inversely correlated with the amount of moderate-level activity
(P<.001) but not high-level activity. In contrast,
time spent in high-level activity correlated with self-efficacy scores (P<.001) and social influences scores (P<.005). High-level physical activity was also associated with improved
self-esteem (P<.05). Higher health beliefs scores
were not correlated with physical activity levels.
Conclusions Children and adolescents are largely sedentary. Correlates of high-
and low-level physical activity are different. Time spent on sedentary activities
is inversely correlated with moderate-level activity, while self-efficacy
and social influences are positively correlated with more intense physical
activity. In addition, increased high-level physical activity is an important
component in the development of self-esteem in children.
From the Childhood Weight Control Program, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology
& Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School,
University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick.
Corresponding author and reprints: Richard S. Strauss, MD, Childhood
Weight Control Program, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition,
Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of
Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, One Robert Wood Johnson Place, CN
19, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0019 (e-mail: strausrs{at}rwja.umdnj.edu).
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