This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (6) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Grieser, M. Articles by Moe, S. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Grieser, M. Articles by Moe, S. G. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Physical Activity Attitudes, Preferences, and Practices in African American, Hispanic, and Caucasian Girls

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Maihan B. Vu, DrPH, MPH

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Ariane L. Bedimo-Rung, PhD, MPH

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans

Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PhD, MPH

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Jamie Moody, MS

San Diego State University

Deborah Rohm Young, PhD

University of Maryland, College Park

Stacey G. Moe, MPH

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Physical activity levels in girls decline dramatically during adolescence, most profoundly among minorities. To explore ethnic and racial variation in attitudes toward physical activity, semistructured interviews (n = 80) and physical activity checklists (n = 130) are conducted with African American, Hispanic, and Caucasian middle school girls in six locations across the United States. Girls from all groups have similar perceptions of the benefits of physical activity, with staying in shape as the most important. Girls have similar negative perceptions of physical activity, including getting hurt, sweating, aggressive players, and embarrassment. Chores, running or jogging, exercises, and dance are common activities for girls regardless of ethnicity. Basketball, swimming, running, and dance are commonly cited favorite activities, although there are slight differences between ethnic groups. The results suggest that factors other than ethnicity contribute to girls’ physical activity preferences and that distinct interventions may not be needed for each ethnic group.

Key Words: physical activity • adolescent girls • ethnic variation • qualitative • African American girls • Hispanic girls • Caucasian girls

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Gittelsohn, A. Steckler, C. C. Johnson, C. Pratt, M. Grieser, J. Pickrel, E. J. Stone, T. Conway, D. Coombs, and L. K. Staten Formative Research in School and Community-Based Health Programs and Studies: "State of the Art" and the TAAG Approach Health Educ Behav, February 1, 2006; 33(1): 25 - 39. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. B. Vu, D. Murrie, V. Gonzalez, and J. B. Jobe Listening to Girls and Boys Talk About Girls' Physical Activity Behaviors Health Educ Behav, February 1, 2006; 33(1): 81 - 96. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. R. Young, C. C. Johnson, A. Steckler, J. Gittelsohn, R. P. Saunders, B. I. Saksvig, K. M. Ribisl, L. A. Lytle, and T. L. McKenzie Data to Action: Using Formative Research to Develop Intervention Programs to Increase Physical Activity in Adolescent Girls Health Educ Behav, February 1, 2006; 33(1): 97 - 111. [Abstract] [PDF]