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Adolescent
Girls: Exercise and Attitude
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What is it that motivates
adolescent girls to be physically active - or not? Previous studies have
found that barriers include not enjoying the activities offered in school-based
physical education classes (PE), lack of facilities for activity available
after school, cost of activities, concerns about appearance, and having
to clean up after school-based PE. Ethnic differences may also play a
part. In this study, six focus groups were conducted in 49 9th thru 12th
grade students (white and African American girls). Having "fun"
(meeting new people, enjoying time with friends) was seen as a motivator
- whereas physical activity described as "exercise" or even
"sports" was not perceived as fun by focus group participants.
All adolescents were indeed concerned about how physical activity would
affect their outward appearance. PE classes in the morning with inadequate
shower facilities or inadequate time to clean oneself was a barrier. There
was concern that by being active, a female would appear to be masculine
to male peers, with the exception of cheerleading, which was seen as being
viewed favorably by boys. Physical activity was viewed as less important
than homework, jobs, or spending time with friends. Factors that reinforced
participation in physical activity were having active friends and having
teammates that were supportive. Verbal support from family members and
their attendance at events were also seen as important.
African-American girls offered a greater acceptance of large body sizes-
and compared to white girls, being large was not as important a reason
to withdraw from physical activity. It was felt that large African American
girls receive positive reinforcement from members of the community, in
contrast to white girls. These girls recognized that a more diverse array
of
body images in the media existed for African-American girls and so they
did
not feel the pressure from the media to be thin. The authors recommend
more studies so that we may better understand how ethnic differences in
body image are associated with levels of physical activity.
(Crawford JS, Taylor J. Contemporary Ped 2003; 20(11):61-78.)
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