Physical Activity In Female Adolescents Research Articles

Can self-esteem mediate the association between social support and different levels of physical activity in adolescents?

The aim was to analyze the mediation role of self-esteem in the interaction between social support from the best friend, friends, and parents, and physical activity (PA). Participants were N=444 adolescents of both genders (male= 205), aged between 12-18 years (M= 16.02; SD= 1.57). Structural equation modeling, serial mediation and multigroup analysis were used to test the proposed hypothesis. Self-reported instruments were used to collect both PA social support and self-esteem. Self-esteem mediates partially the interaction between different social supports and vigorous PA, independently of adolescent sex. Interestingly, self-esteem was fully mediating the interaction between parents’ social support and vigorous PA in female adolescents. In contrast, self-esteem revealed no mediation in the interaction between social support and light and moderate PA. In conclusion, self-esteem mediates the relationship between social support and vigorous PA, the strength of mediation is higher in girls than in boys, in both genders the mediation is higher when the social support came from parents.

Effects of Physical Activity and Psychological Modification-Based Intervention on Physical Fitness, Physical Activity and Its Related Psychological Variables in Female Adolescents.

Background: The current study investigated the effects of an intervention incorporating physical activity and psychological modification strategy on physical fitness, physical activity levels, and psychological variables related to physical activity in female adolescents. Methods: Sixty female adolescents were recruited from H Middle School. Among them, 30 females (Mage = 14.35 years) were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the rest of 30 to the control group (Mage = 14.47 years) and voluntarily participated in the 12-week intervention. Results: The results indicated that the physical activity stage of female adolescents in the experimental group significantly increased over the 12-week intervention. The results revealed that all of psychological variables in the experimental group significantly improved over the intervention, while participants in the experimental group showed significantly higher scores on most of psychological variables, except cons, than those in the control group after the intervention. Moreover, most of physical fitness components in the experimental group significantly increased over the intervention. Conclusions: The current study confirmed that the physical activity-related psychological intervention was feasible for improving physical and psychological health among female adolescents.

High levels of physical activity in female adolescents with anorexia nervosa: medical and psychopathological correlates.

While overexercise is commonly described in patients who experience anorexia nervosa (AN), it represents a condition still underestimated, especially in the paediatric population. The present study aims at assessing the possible associations between levels of physical activity (PA) and clinical features, endocrinological data and psychopathological traits in a sample of 244 female adolescents hospitalised for AN subdivided into two groups according to PA levels (high PA vs. no/low PA). The two groups were compared through multivariate analyses, while multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine whether physical activity predict specific outcomes. No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of last Body Mass Index (BMI) before illness, BMI at admission and disease duration, while a difference emerged in delta BMI(rapidity of weight loss), significantly higher in high-PA group (p = 0.021). Significant differences were observed in Free triiodothyronine- (p < 0.001), Free thyroxine (p = 0.046), Follicle-stimulating hormone (p = 0.019), Luteinising hormone (p = 0.002) levels, with values remarkably lower in high-PA group. Concerning psychopathological scales, the high-PA group showed worst Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) scores (p = 0.035). Regression analyses revealed that higher PA predicts higher delta BMI (p = 0.021), presence of amenorrhea (p = 0.003), lower heart rate (p = 0.012), lower thyroid (Free triiodothyronine p < 0.001, Free thyroxine p = 0.029) and gynaecological hormones' levels (Follicle-stimulating hormone p = 0.023, Luteinising hormone p = 0.003, 17-Beta estradiol p = 0.041). Concerning psychiatric measures, HPA predicts worst scores at CGAS (p = 0.019), and at scales for evaluation of alexithymia (p = 0.028) and depression (p = 0.004). Results suggest that high levels of physical activity in acute AN associate with worst clinical conditions at admission, especially in terms of endocrinological and medical features. Level III.

Perception of parents' physical activity as a positive model on physical activity of adolescents

Physical activity (PA) promotes an adequate level of health in adolescents. The PA behaviors moderation is led by the adolescents' perception of their parents. We suppose that higher adolescents' perception of their parents' physical activity influences the physical activity spent in adolescents. The objective of this study was to determine the association between adolescents' perception of their parents' PA practice with adolescent's PA in a sample of public schools in the Morelos state of Mexico. We analyzed the information of 4625 adolescents from the baseline of a cohort study of students in public schools in Mexico. We evaluated adolescents' perceptions of their parents PA and PA practice of the adolescents. A logistic regression analysis stratified by sex was carried out to evaluate the association between adolescents' perceptions of their parents PA, and adolescents' PA. We found that the PA of female adolescents was associated with their perceptions' of both parents' PA (OR = 2.48; IC95% 1.84–3.35). Adolescents' perceptions of their mother's PA was associated with their PA (daughters OR = 1.69; IC95% 1.33–2.15; sons OR = 1.87 IC95% 1.41–2.45). In conclusion, adolescents' perceptions of their parents' PA practice were associated with higher adolescents' PA. Higher adolescents' perception of their parents PA may play an important role as a positive model for the adolescent's PA practice (p < 0.001). Finally, parental PA and the perceptions that adolescents have of their parents' PA must be considered in devising general PA programs.

The Effect of a Social Cognitive Theory-based Educational Intervention on the Physical Activity of Female Adolescents

The Effect of a Social Cognitive Theory-based Educational Intervention on the Physical Activity of Female Adolescents

Do low levels of physical activity in female adolescents cause overweight and obesity? Objectively measured physical activity levels of periurban and rural adolescents

The increase in obesity levels in South African adolescents is attributed to an energy imbalance such that physical inactivity is causally related to adiposity. However, in some settings obesity occurs in spite of high physical activity levels. To examine objectively measured physical activity levels of rural black female and male adolescents from periurban to rural settings in relation to weight status, and specifically the direction and strength of the associations. Seven-day accelerometry-derived pedometry data (step counts and activity energy expenditure) were collected for 178 adolescents (85 females, 93 males; age 13.7 - 18.0 years) living in six demographic surveillance site villages. Anthropometric measures were body mass index (kg/m2), waist circumference (cm) and sum of skinfolds (mm). Weight status was determined using international growth standards for stunting, underweight (UW), normal weight (NW), overweight (OW) and obesity (OB). Females had greater adiposity and lower 7-day average step counts and activity energy expenditure, and achieved fewer days at ≥10 000 steps and more days at &lt;5 000 steps (p&lt;0.05). The age and gender-weighted prevalences for female/male stunting, UW-NW, OW-OB, &lt;5 000 steps/day and ≥12 500 steps/day were 12.4%/20.7%, 74.3%/99.1%, 25.8%/0.9%, 12.3%/0.9% and 50%/64.9%, respectively (females v. males, p&lt;0.05). In multivariate models (weighted and adjusting for age, gender, village, season), step counts and activity energy expenditure were positively related to adiposity measures (p&lt;0.05). Both UW-NW and OW-OB periurban to rural adolescents were active to highly active on most days of the week. Physical activity was directly associated with adiposity measures.

Low levels of physical activity in female adolescents cause overweight and obesity: are our schools failing our children?

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among female adolescents is a global health problem. In developing countries such as South Africa, this increase is often associated with urbanisation and the adoption of a Western lifestyle. Two aspects of the Western lifestyle that contribute to the development of overweight and obesity are a decrease in physical activity levels and an increase in the consumption of energy-dense food, high in fats and refined sugar. Information on the prevalence of increased body fatness in populations in transition is scarce, but necessary for effective planning and intervention. Current indications are that there is a trend towards unhealthy behaviour among high-school girls, globally and in South Africa. Schools can play an important role in the prevention of overweight and obesity among schoolgirls. It is recommended that school governing bodies institute remedial action to prevent weight gain in children, especially girls.

Abstract P183: Parents Play Significant Role in the Gender Differences Associated with Physical Activity in Elementary Students

BACKGROUND It has been proven that males engage in physical activity more than females starting at a young age. The goal of this study was to investigate gender differences based on parenting behaviors such as the frequency with which parents send their children out to play. METHODS Parents of children participating in a free cardiovascular risk-screening program (CARDIAC Project) completed a behavioral survey. Children (n =472; 43.3% female) who were enrolled in elementary school participated in the study. Parents provided information about children’s physical activity and their own ways in which they provided support of activity at home. Children’s participation in 12 activities was captured by total number of minutes per week. A combined mean activity score was calculated by summing the children’s total time across all of the activities. Parent behavior , specifically the frequency at which parents send their children outside to play was captured using a Likert scale where “1” represented never and “5” represented daily. Child gender and the amount of time allowed outside for play were then entered into a linear regression model to examine their role as potential predictors of child activity. RESULTS A significant gender difference (p&lt;.001) was noted in children’s total activity time with boys (n = 237; 751 minutes/week) exhibiting higher mean activity each week than girls (n = 229; 521 minutes/week). Child gender and the amount of time allowed outside to play significantly predicted children’s activity levels overall. This model explained 28.9% of the variance in children’s activity levels (F = 20.25 (2); p&lt;.001). Specifically, girls had less opportunity (3.75) than boys (4.05) to play outside. CONCLUSION A factor behind the lesser physical activity in female adolescents is significantly related to the decreased opportunity to play outside. Additional parenting practices will be shared if presented. In conclusion, parent behavior plays a significant role in the proven gender differences with childhood physical activity.

Determinants of Physical Activity Among Female Adolescents

Women, and particularly African-American women, may be less physically active than what is ideal. Knowledge of factors that influence physical activity is valuable information to those planning and administering exercise promoting interventions. The associations of 25 variables with current global physical activity were assessed via regression analysis. Eight hundred and fifty-two young women, 14-18 years of age, were sampled. Each completed a 7-day recall of physical activity and an 83-item survey. The sample was further subdivided by ethnic group, and then ethnic group and age to ascertain whether determinants of physical activity differ across these groups. Ethnic group (Caucasians more active) and age (younger more active) were significant influences on physical activity. Overall, nurture from biological fathers and participation in organized sports associated with physical activity. Viewing two or more hours of television per night negatively influenced physical activity. Among African-American girls (n = 626), participation in organized sports, friend support, and nurture from biological fathers significantly associated with physical activity. However, following sports through the media negatively influenced physical activity. Among Caucasians (n = 226), attitudes were the sole significant correlate of physical activity. Those planning interventions targeting female adolescents should consider employing distinct strategies for specific ethnic group and age subgroups. Opportunities for physicians to have an impact on the physical activity of female adolescents includes using their community standing to influence school policies and to counsel female patients individually during office visits.