Relationship Between Perceived Family Support And Physical Activity Of Girls From 8th To 12th Grade

Abstract

Others have shown that physical activity (PA) of girls declines as they progress from 9th to 12th grade. The study of PA correlates may help in planning PA interventions. PURPOSE To determine whether girls who perceive higher family support in the 8th grade participate in more PA and have higher selected correlates of PA in the 8th, 9th and 12th grades. METHODS A total of 421 girls (58.4% black, 13.6±0.6 years, BMI=24.0±5.5) completed questionnaires at each grade. Family support (FS) was measured by questions to assess whether family members (adults and other children) encouraged, participated with, provided transportation, watched participation, or told each girl that PA was good for her health. Responses ranged from 0 for no support to 4 for daily and the five questions were averaged to obtain a score. Girls with scores in the upper quartile were considered to have higher FS as compared to girls in the lower quartiles. Other measures obtained included PA self-efficacy (SE), attitudes (ATT), perceived behavioral control (PBC), and whether the girls had equipment for PA and sports. Girls were also asked whether they participated on a sports team, and they completed a 3 day PA recall (3DPAR). Odds ratios (OR) of girls in the high FS group also reporting 1 or more 30-min blocks of VPA (=6 METs), 2 or more 30-min blocks of MVPA (= 3 METs) or sports (school or outside of school) were calculated after controlling for race, BMI and school. T-tests were used to determine whether girls with higher FS had higher levels of ATT, SE, PBC and PA equipment than girls with lower FS. RESULTS Girls with higher FS in the 8th grade had higher 8th grade VPA (OR=1.94, p = .01), MVPA (OR= 2.50, p < .01), and sports participation (OR=2.63, p < .001); higher 9th grade MVPA (OR=1.89, p = .02), and sports participation (OR=1.98, p = .01); and higher 12th grade VPA (1.49, p = .09), and sports participation (OR=2.64, p < .001) than girls with lower FS. Girls with higher FS also had higher scores for SE, PBC and PA equipment at all three time points (p < .05) as compared with girls with lower FS. CONCLUSIONS Family support may help to prevent the decline in PA of high school girls. Support from family members may lessen the decline in PA independently from girl's SE, PBC and perceived PA equipment. The role of family should be carefully considered when planning interventions in high school girls. Supported by NIH Grant HL 057775