| Rates of obesity in children are rising at an alarming rate, particularly among girls and ethnic minorities. Engaging in regular physical activity can help reduce this risk. Little is known about factors associated with physical activity (PA) in preadolescent populations, an age when intervention is ideal. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory, this study used a repeated-measures design to examine PA and its correlates, including PA self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and social influences (from parents and peers), among participants (N = 57) in Girls on the Run, an innovative PA intervention for elementary school girls. Participants (M age = 9.4) predominately include girls from ethnic groups at highest risk for obesity, with 74% African American and 18% Hispanic. Multiple regressions indicated that, at baseline, girls with higher self-efficacy were significantly more likely to report greater intentions to be physically active (beta = .40, p < .05). Further, although no mean changes in study outcomes were found, an examination of factors associated with the variance in PA behaviors and intentions at post-test can further understanding of PA in this age and ethnic group. Processes of change regressions suggested that, after adjusting for baseline levels, increases in both self-efficacy and social influences were significantly associated with higher physical activity behaviors and intentions at post-test (ps < .05). Outcome expectations, or belief in the benefits of physical activity, was not a significant variable in the models ( p > .05). Overall, findings suggest the importance of targeting physical activity self-efficacy and fostering high levels of peer and parental support for physical activity to help girls meet recommended guidelines. Implications for future interventions are discussed. |
