Abstract
Native Americans have an increased risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders related to low levels of physical activity (PA). This is even more apparent in Native American youth with minimal access to community facilities and programming. This project investigates Native American children's intentions and behaviors related to PA. PURPOSE: To identify determinants of Native American youth's PA behaviors in order to be better prepared to develop effective PA interventions. METHODS: Native American youth from the Southwestern United States (N=232, 13.59+1.61 yrs) fifth through twelfth grades answered a previously validated and reliable questionnaire related to PA based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Multiple Regression analyses were used to examine the TPB model of student attitude, subjective norm, and control determining intention and intention predicting student PA behavior as measured by self-report of PA and its duration. RESULTS: TPB was supported in this population of Native American youth, with 48% of the variance in intentions to engage in PA due to attitude, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norm (F(3, 219) = 66.46, p<0.01). These determinants had a moderate effect on intentions to be PA. Intention was found to be a significant (t(2) = 2.41, p<.02), but weak predictor of self-reported behavior, accounting for only 2.5% of the variance. CONCLUSION: This study supports the value of using the TPB model to learn more about Native American youth's intentions and behaviors to related to PA. It also highlights the important role that these determinants may play in developing physically activity lifestyles. Attitude or creating programming that Native American youth will view in positive ways, subjective norm or the importance of youth's influencing social groups, and finally, the need youth have to feel in control of their PA patterns, also may influence Native American youth's intentions and behaviors related to healthful PA.
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