Work

Assessing the Perceived Environment among Minimally Active Adolescent Girls: Validity and Relations to Physical Activity Outcomes

Year: 2003

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: This study examined how adolescents' perceptions of exercise resources in the environment relate to physical activity outcomes. METHODS: Perceptions of the availability and use of environmental resources, vigorous physical activity (VIG), daily energy expenditure (KCAL), lifestyle activities (LA), and cardiovascular fitness (Vo2peak) were assessed cross-sectionally among 87 minimally active adolescent girls (ages 14-17). To validate adolescent reports, the perceived availability of environmental resources was also assessed from 47 parents. RESULTS: Adolescent-parent agreement over the availability of resources was modest for the home domain (r = .62, p < .001) and weak for the community domain (r = .14, p > .05). Adolescents' perceptions of resource availability in both the home and community domains were positively associated with VO2peak (p < .05) but unrelated to VIG, KCAL, and LA. Adolescents' use of home resources was positively correlated with both VIG and LA (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Minimally active adolescent girls were more attuned to and likely to use the resources for physical activity located in their home environment as opposed to the community environment.

Source: American Journal of Health Promotion

DOI: 10.4278/0890-1171-18.1.70

Authors: Genevieve Fridlund Dunton, Margaret Schneider Jamner, Dan Michael Cooper

Institution: University of California, Irvine

Language: English

Topic: Physical Activity and Health

Subfield: Physiology (medical)

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Center for Research Resources, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development