Citation

Forthofer M, Dowda M, O'Neill JR, Addy CL, McDonald S, Reid L, Pate RR. J. Phys. Act. Health 2017; 14(12): 953-958.

Affiliation

Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/jpah.2016-0487

PMID

28682693

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gender differences in physical activity trajectories during adolescence are well-documented, yet little research has examined whether the determinants of these trajectories vary by child's gender. This study is one of few prospective examinations of gender differences in the influences of psychosocial and socioenvironmental factors on changes in objectively measured PA.

METHODS: Students and parents from elementary and middle schools located in two school districts in South Carolina were enrolled in a prospective cohort study of changes in children's PA from elementary to middle school. Measures included children's and/or parents' ratings of various psychosocial and socioenvironmental factors as well as objectively measured PA, children's anthropometric characteristics and neighborhood factors at 5(th) and 6(th) grades.

RESULTS: Parents' reports of children's sport and class participation, parent-reported support for PA, and neighborhood resources for PA were protective against declines in PA for both boys and girls. The effects of two factors - children's self-efficacy and parents' leisure-time PA - on changes in PA over time were moderated by the child's gender.

CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of these dynamics may inform the development of interventions.

Language: en

Keywords

child behavior; exercise; longitudinal; parent physical activity; self-efficacy; social support