Black, Hispanic, and White Girls' Perceptions of Environmental and Social Support and Enjoyment of Physical Activity

• Published in: The Journal of school health 2008-06, Vol.78 (6), p.314-320
• Main Authors: Grieser, Mira, Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne, Saksvig, Brit I., Lee, Jung-Sun, Felton, Gwen M., Kubik, Martha Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adolescent girls; Adolescents; African Americans; Analysis; Attitude Measures; Black or African American - psychology; Body Composition; Child; Children & youth; Control Groups; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demographic aspects; Early Adolescents; Educational Environment; Enjoyment; Ethnicity; Exercise; Family Influence; Female; Females; Girls; Grade 6; Hispanic Americans; Hispanic or Latino - psychology; Hispanic people; Humans; Influence; Intervention; Middle School Students; Obesity; Peer Influence; Perceptions; Physical Activities; Physical activity; Physical Activity Level; Physical Education; Racial Differences; Secondary school students; Social aspects; Social networks; Social Support; Sports; Teenagers; White People - psychology; Whites
• ISSN: 0022-4391; 1746-1561
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2008.00308.x

ABSTRACT Background:  This study examines the differences among black, Hispanic, and white adolescent girls in their perceptions surrounding physical activity (PA), including support within the school climate, friend and family social support, and personal enjoyment. Methods:  Participants included 1466 sixth‐grade girls from 36 middle schools across the United States. Participants were 20% black, 21% Hispanic, 47% white, and 12% of other or mixed races. Multivariate analyses were performed on each scale, adjusting for body mass index and free and reduced‐price lunch status. Results:  Results showed racial differences on several variables. Black girls, compared with white girls, perceived significantly lower PA enjoyment (p < .001) and teacher support for PA (p = .004). Hispanic girls experienced less PA enjoyment (p = .003) and perceived less support for PA from boys (p = .001) and their families (p = .008) than white girls. Black girls reported significantly higher levels of physical education (PE) enjoyment than did white girls (p = .003). Conclusions:  Differences in perceived PA support and enjoyment across race raise questions about why these differences exist and how best to address disparities within interventions.